Hi DolAngel
I'm no Clapton, Walsh or Richards but I was a gigging muso. I actually lost my music career through my addiction. I messed up gigs, cancelled other gigs, and generally was a shambolic mess.
I had to make some big changes.
I took a long time off to get myself together and to get to a point where I knew I wanted to be a musician and not a 'rock star'.
A couple of years back I started playing again. I love playing sober, and I love not falling for the BS or free drinks, free buds and free whatever else is at hand.
I'm writing again, I'm back at the top of my form, and I'm as busy as I want to be - life is good on this side of the fence.
I think you've made great decision - welcome