Nap Time

Long before I became addicted to alcohol, I used other mood-altering substances to excess. I started with sugar. In my pre-teens I engaged in an elaborate ritual of consuming chocolate bars while watching TV. When I was at the movies or on a long car ride, I often brought along a large bag of caramel candies. I didn’t mean to eat the whole bag. I just wanted one more—until the bag was empty. When confronted with a platter of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, I didn’t intend to eat all 27. I just wanted to eat one more—which I did—until the platter was empty. I chewed gum the same way: I would chew the first stick furiously until the flavor gave out, then pop in a fresh stick.