watching loved ones disappear

There's a big issue these days with drugs. Its an insidious creeping up of the awareness of what various 'recreational' drugs do to a person. Since being back in the fens i have given up alcohol and i like the consistency of me that non drinking has provided. But in others i now watch in horror as what was an occasional pastime has become more of a daily need. The drugs start to mask the real person and the mask gets harder and thicker and more inpenetrable. Glimpses of the loved one are still there but this selfish striving little monster emerges. Life decisions made are based  not on a quest for improvement or betterment but on fèeding that little monster. Watching a loved one disappear is agonising and seeing the repurcussions of their life choices unbearable and shocking.