Hello, My name is Amanda. I have struggled with meth addiction since the age of 18. Because of this addiction I have spent every birthday incarcerated since I turned 18. I was an honor roll and presidential academic award student. I first used when I was 13 years old. The drug was adderall. I loved the loss of stress and gain in control. I didn't realize what I had started though.

At the age of 15 I had a heavy benzoid and opiate addiction. I had dropped out of school as well as lost many friends. I had overdosed three times. I experienced black outs, as well as loss of breath. I humiliated myself and my family. I also struggled with anorexia. Many people didn't know that I had been molested as a child and raped at the age of 15. I didn't tell anyone, for the simple fact I felt guilty, like I had deserved it.

At the age of 17, I was admitted to an inpatient treatment facility for the use of heroin. It was a 12-24 month program. I completed the program amazingly. I obtained 8 months of abstinence from drugs...then relapsed.

By 17 I was trialed as an adult and was sent to adult jail for 30 days for midnight of my 18th birthday. Continually, I was in jail for every birthday because of my continued use.

By 18 I became an IV user and things were never the same -- I was using with people I never imagined, doing things that were definitely out of my character. My step sister had to rush me to the ER because I had overdosed. I had been up for too long with a diet consisting mainly of Mountain Dew and Meth. I didn't realize how much this had affected her until this year (2014).

I am now 21 and I can say I am proud to be clean. I was admitted to yet another treatment facility. The program involved book work from Breaking Barriers. It really has changed my outlook on my life and on my goals. I also found my higher power. He was there for me when I knew many had given up. In all reality He was there all along. I found out while in this program that I have a fatal heart rhythm from my prolonged use of crystal meth. This has opened my eyes more than anything -- I am barely 21 and may need a pace maker in the future.

One thing I'd like to say, send a message if you will:

Addiction can happen to anyone; it destroys lives. It is a disease that is treatable but not curable.

I wouldn't be where I am in my sobriety without a higher power, NA, AA, ARP, and an ever-loving family.

Please be thankful for the life you have. It is the only one you get.

I am celebrating almost 90 days and I plan on continuing this journey.

Keep your head up! It gets better, one day at a time!