No such thing as breaking the law responsibly or taking recreational drugs responsibly. Yes, I'm sure that they had to 'endure quite a bit of unhappiness.' Very few people on this planet get to live a life of happiness. Enduring unhappiness is part and parcel of life.

My point was that being unhappy was not justification for taking a recreational drug or getting drunk.

https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/drugs-alcohol-and-mental-health/