In more detail, Finding My Own Voice is a non-fiction story of abuse, addiction, and freedom. I am a survivor. I will be clean and sober for ten years tomorrow. I am a product of my upbringing just like millions of children today; but this book is about healing from the past and staying sober for another day. I told a story of how a young girl became her own nightmare, taking you from the brink of death to the struggles I had to endure in order to have a life based on acceptance and most importantly love. Putting down the bottle was easy compare to all the things I had to do in order to stay sober. I truly believe that drugs and alcohol are symptoms to some underlying condition. Mine was child abuse which was a horrible experience that later splintered in many different ways: functioning in society; pent up emotions and feelings; self will run wild; and the search for love. I wrote this book because I do not want to hide anymore. I want to help those who are still suffering from abuse or recovering from addiction; making connections. The physical, sexual, mental, and verbal abuse I endured affected every ounce of my life. The abuse held me hostage as it does for so many men and women. What is different about me is that I made it through my struggles with addiction and alcoholism and my on-going search for love and acceptance. I spent a life time running away from the pain and suffering I kept hidden inside myself. Freedom was the end result. Besides being an addict, I am also a wife, mother, even grandmother. I am a student and teacher. I am a productive member of society and participate with my community with open arms. I even dabble in politics; speaking and sharing the love and importance for education. I teach history and serve on community boards that focus on our environment and historical aspects of my community. Finding My Own Voice is a 49,194-word, seven chapter book, written in a conversational style; very informal. I speak directly to the reader offering my experiences and hope for over-coming addiction and child abuse. I have already shared my story, my book with men and women who have since passed on my story to their family and friends. For many who have read my story; it also became their story, opening up dialogue on abuse and addiction. This is a story that needs to be told and shared because of many of us still suffer and the power that holds us hostage must be broken in order to be free of the pain and suffering we have endured.