What conscience?

Five years after we started dating, Chris got pregnant. I didn’t want kids, but figured having one would help me change my priorities. It didn’t.

When I started using drugs, I was spending $60 to $100 per week. By the end, it was closer to $500 to $1000 per week. I sold drugs and committed crimes without a conscience. All I thought was, “I’ve got to steal this in order for me to get high.” Eventually, it became a matter of basic functioning. I couldn’t get up and get going without a shot of dope. It was everything. I didn’t care about consequences.

In my early 30s, I went to prison. Within a year of being out, I went back.