Editor, Gazette-Journal:

For far too many years, my addiction to drugs has been the source of my entire affliction. It was successful in robbing me of self-control; holding me powerless to its torment and disturbing my right way of thinking. Drug addiction relentlessly led me away from serving God and turned me into serving only itself and its desires.

This selfish behavior completely devastated my life, leaving me, at times, without hope of ever reconciling it. I am ashamed of my weakness. I felt helpless to it. I let it take advantage of me in my most pathetic state.

By the grace of God, for over a year now, I have committed to keeping this separation. It’s over for good! Never again will I give drugs any attention. I will no longer allow myself to be reduced to the addictive behavior that took control of my life. This problem has been going on for far too long, and for all the wrong reasons.

My acceptance of substance abuse not only devastated my life, but also those whom ...