Portrait of an Addict is a brutally honest account of my life which included substance abuse. I started using drugs, as a teenager, to escape the control of my mentally ill mother and physically abusive father. Struggling with life I make numerous attempts at sobriety. I would see people come into Alcoholics Anonymous and pull their lives together and I couldn't understand why I couldn't. It would take me years to realize and comprehend I was mentally ill. I went through many relationships and lost everything and everyone I loved. I would, marry a wealthy man that molested his daughter, a Prince from Saudi Arabia that went through every dime I had, and rob a bank to support my habit, before I would receive help. Being incarcerated separated me from family and all outside influences so I could face myself and my shame. In time, I began to recover and uncover my deep resentments and pain. I would experience epiphanies that changed my perception of others and allow me to forgive those that had harmed me. My childhood issues continue to surface and I will always have a mental illness so I have learned to know my limits and boundries. With clarity, I see the humanity in myself and others. I surrender all my resentments and fears and find self-esteem and peace. I am learning about relationships and how to live without drama. With faith in God recovery and peace are possible. If I can get sober, anyone can get sober