That seems to imply that he lived a deviant life because he took drugs, rather than the other way around. This is precisely the type of judgement that the parent wanted to avoid. :)
But it cuts both ways. There's a phrase "high-functioning alcoholic", meaning someone who still holds down a job, wears respectable clothes and all that. I grew up with a drunk: "high-functioning alcoholic" just means the worms are well concealed inside the can.
Especially at high doses for long periods of time, which is how Hunter S. Thompson got his name.
We're all monkeys on a space rock. I think it's good we have such variety.
He just committed suicide.
And if you don’t believe he did I’m not sure that makes a case for it working out okay for him either.