The problem started when my older brother physically harmed us to the point where we had to involve the police. He often got into conflicts with my mother, even claiming the family house as his own.
My life began spiralling out of control, and even after finishing school, I continued smoking while looking for a job in Johannesburg. Having money made it easier to fuel my addiction.
That accident was enough to make me realise that my reckless lifestyle would inevitably lead me to premature death or imprisonment. Unfortunately, just two months after the incident, I faced another devastating blow as my mother passed away. I was unemployed around that time.
I knew my lifestyle was detrimental to my wellbeing and I wanted to quit smoking, but I could not. I slipped into depression because I did not know how I could break free from my addiction.
My academic studies were negatively affected because even when I was at school, I only thought about my problems. I became dejected. I started watching pornography as a way of distracting myself.
