Drinking, Smoking, and Other Drugs: Why It’s Time to Reconnect with Your True Self

Growing up, most of us were told to avoid drinking, smoking, and drugs through programs like DARE, but when you’re raised in a culture influenced by artists like Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, and Future, those messages often didn’t stand a chance. For many, college became a place where these habits took root, where social scenes revolved around parties, and experimenting with substances seemed like part of the experience. But what happens when college ends, and those habits are harder to shake than we thought?

Beyond the social allure, the effects of drinking, smoking, and drugs are more than just a college phase. Over time, they can change how we look and feel. Excessive drinking and smoking have been linked to weight gain, bloating, swollen necks, and skin issues. For some, there are deeper impacts like infertility, erectile dysfunction, or even mood swings and irritability. What’s worse, instead of bringing us closer, these habits often create barriers, isolating us from the connections we thought we were building in the first place. Addiction doesn’t bring us together; it separates us, pulling us away from our most authentic selves and from the people we care about.

But here’s the good news: it’s never too late to hit the reset button. We all have a part of ourselves—our “old self”—that misses the simple things, the joy that doesn’t come from a bottle or a pill. Reconnecting with that version of ourselves, or helping a friend do the same, is a powerful step forward. Whether it’s encouraging someone to get back into hobbies they loved, exploring a new fitness routine, or just spending time in ways that feel truly fulfilling, every small choice is a move toward feeling whole again. Because real connection starts within, and a life fueled by authenticity will always beat a life that’s numbed out.

Xoxo,
A.D

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