My dark age was similar to many. I started playing with Lego when I was just 3 and was a complete fanatic. Had my first space set bought for me by my father one day in a Shoppers Drug Mart. I had my original yellow lego castle built for the last 30 years! Only recently have I been cleaning them up and putting them into proper storage.
Around the age of 14 I stopped collecting Lego from 1990-1999. Bought the odd small set when I had 5 dollars or so but most of the time I could only look at them. Got really into collecting again when they brought out the star wars sets and I had money. So I have most of the sets from 1999-2003. Then went to university so I couldn't afford to and had other things happening.
I discovered the Lego store back in 2011 and bought the Gladiator minifigure from Series 5. Once that happened I had to collect them and all. I was hooked from then on. It was rather weird I never collected Lego City or Town sets always, Space, Lego Castle and Star Wars. I dunno why I didn't buy them before because I love them now! :) It is hard though to keep up with Star Wars...