I recall the make-out sessions with a woman who essentially would slobber all over my face to the point I broke out in a rash. I gave her a second chance, but at that point I felt I was being seduced by a St. Bernard. It ended quickly.

The third anniversary of my father's death is approaching on December 21, 2014. After a long battle with substance dependence and sobriety, he concluded his fight at the age of 59. The phone call from his roommate still feels like a dream and his death derailed me for years. I had thought I had "gotten over it"…