Wow. Thank you for opening up like that; and most importantly, congratulations on your sobriety and making the decision to turn your life around.
I guess I should share that when I overcame my battle with bipolar depression, I started finding things to do and keep me occupied to avoid being caught again in the undertow and among all my other interests and hobbies, I took up Ball Pythons =]
I've definitely grown attached to them, made friends of them and learned a lot about their natural instincts and ways of life. I love observing their movements and realizing how connected and serene nature and life's miracles really are.