At 15, a routine tonsillectomy exposed me to opiates via an over-prescribed portion of painkillers. This exposure started an 18-year battle with addiction, which progressed from prescription pills to heroin and fentanyl. During the process, I struggled with addictions to cocaine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines, and fell into a way of life that involved being a pimp, dating a few strippers, robbing