Addiction is a Double Edged Sword

Good day to you all! I have been reflecting alot on my life and my personal experiences with addiction as well as others in my life who suffer daily from their own addictions. Anything taken in overconsumption can become an addiction. I used to be a daily marijuana smoker and though I felt it was ultimately harmless I did come to see that so many aspects of my life ultimately revolved around it. My friendships and even employment were dictated by my ability to still be able to consume the stuff. It was been a very long time since I have indulged in consumption of any substances aside from the occasional glass of wine but my friends still ultimately abuse the substances they abuse and I refuse to turn my back on them. What I have done is distanced myself to the point their actions cannot negatively affect myself. This was a hard truth I had to face as I spent many years trying to help them recover from harder addictions whether it be methamphetamines, heroine, pills, etc. I grew up in a poverty stricken area and the addiction rates there are very disproportionate to other parts of the city I was raised in. These individuals have kind gentle hearts but they ultimately harm themselves everyday. I feel for them but again I had to focus on my own well being. I am posting this because this is the feelings of a person who cares about those from my past and it hurts to walk away knowing I could not help those who did not wish to help themselves. That is one edge of the sword. The other is knowing if I stayed it would have only served to hurt myself to try and convince and help them recover. Sometimes there is no concrete good or bad in a situation and addiction is the definition of grey area. If any of you ever wish to have a compassionate listening ear, I am here for you.