David, your life is just getting started. I would strongly suggest trying to do everything in your power to stay away from abusing drugs. They are only a short term solution to lifes day to day problems/situations.

My oldest son (13) was diagnosed as ADHD and the Dr told us he was too old to take Ritalin for it because of the "speed" effect that he would feel. Now we keep him real busy and that seems to work pretty well. I feel certain that 33 yrs ago I would have been diagnosed the same way. Thankfully, my parents sent me out to work my butt off on the farm from the time I was 12.

I am 45 yrs old and all the people that I grew up with that abused drugs (other than pot) are either dead or in prison - including my older brother who died in 1984 at 34 yrs old. I would suggest trying to figure out what you enjoy doing in life that you can make a career of and then learning to doing it to the best of your ability. If you can make a living doing what you enjoy then life becomes a permanent vacation. Be thankful for the parents/family you have while they are still around. They will not be there forever.

I took a prescribed dose of Xanax for a long time to help me sleep. Getting off of that stuff was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

__________________
Jim