Grateful for not turning into an addict via /r/gratitude

Growing up gay, I was physically and sexually abused and still carry the marks on my body. It still surprises me that I never thought of doing drugs or becoming an alcoholic. And it was so easy for me because my uncle was a raging alcoholic and I always had options available.

I'm grateful that I had that self-restraint. I have my trauma and I'm healing slowly, but now that I see my peers who also walked down that lane, I'm grateful I didn't make it even harder for me.

I'm not a strong person. It's honestly a miracle that I've made it so far. I'm grateful that I've been such a coward, yet decided to wake up everyday and brace my heart.