My user name, ruletheworld, is a reference to how I felt the first time I got drunk. I was 17 and with some friends who had brought over a bottle of cheap whiskey. When I was asked how I felt, I stopped what I was doing and gave the steadfast proclamation, "I feel like I could rule the world!".

And I really did. I honestly felt like I had discovered the wonder drug. This was the answer to all my problems. All my social awkwardness, all my insecurities were washed down the...