Keeping my eye on the ball
sometimes it helps to meet someone infinitely more fucked up than you to remind you of both how bad it isn't, and how much worse it could get, but I've never been close to letting it. God, like meeting a Charles Bukowski character.
What an awesome way to maintain focus and remind myself of the importance of goals.
Your friend may be having a rough time, but he is still out there. See you soon.