No one plans to be addicted and no one plans to lose their health and self-respect, not to mention family and friends. But it happens. And it happens all the time.

Drug and alcohol addiction does not discriminate. It can be found in the white community, the black community, among the rich and the poor. It's a treacherous disease that progresses over time. And it is widespread in Bermuda.

Following are the stories of two recovering poly-addicted personalities. Every day is a struggle for them. "It's easy for an addict to get clean,'' said one, "the hard part is staying clean.'' GETTING READY -- The drug user in this photograph is cutting cocaine into lines to prepare it for snorting.