It only occured to me because I used to be an active addict. I know how the active addicted mind thinks.
The Promises of AA apply here: "We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it."
It was only because of my past that I knew what to do.
I think it's accurate to say, if your past were different, you probably would never have crossed paths with this good fellow in the first place, Laz.