I began drinking and drugging around the age of 14 years old. It was during a time of many uprooting occurrences in my life stemming from Loss, a suicide attempt, Epilepsy, Institutions, Medications, Family and Living arrangements and changes. Even though I came from what many would consider a loving home, me being the oldest always left me feeling alone and searching for something within myself. I always felt like I needed to prove something to others to feel better about myself. Alcohol and drugs always seemed to help me find that approval easiest. I spent the next 10 years in and out of Jails and institutions until I came real close to meeting death at the age of 24 in 1995 and finally decided I was at the point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired and beating myself up more than what anyone else could possibly do to me. After exiting the hospital this last time I decided to take myself to one of those meetings the courts had always made me go to in the past. That day was April 26,1995.