How is Ishmael lucky?

Ishmael is not only lucky because he physically survived his ordeal, but because he was able to conquer the emotional ramifications as well. He lost his family, lived in fear, found himself embroiled in horrific ordeals, commited violence against others, suffered drug addiction, and aimlessly murdered when ordered to do so. Over the course of the novel, we see a young man completely detach himself from reality in order to survive.... and he does. He was lucky to have survived and escaped; he was lucky to have the help he needed to heal, as well as the support of so many people.