This past Christmas Eve (2012) marks 10 years of the last time I took Vicodine.?I abused it for 2 years prior to that.

I was a teenager, had been injured, and took it for the pain -- and?just never stopped.?It took a long time to realize that I had a problem. I faked injuries and would steal my mother's pills yet still did not realize I had a problem.

While it was known that people could be addicted to these medications, it was not something you really talked about nor did it seem to be taken very seriously by someone so young. I had only the help of a couple friends and to this day, I have barely talked about it with friends and family.

Finally, I posted about it on my facebook to mark my 10 years. ?While I am proud of myself, I still sometimes fear relapse - especially given that many in my family are alcoholics. I have had surgery and some pretty bad injuries since but will still not take medications past a certain strength. I tell my doctors about my past.

In those 10 years, I have graduated high school, received my bachelors and masters degrees, and have been part of a dance troupe and holding down a full time job. Depression occasionally gets to me and there have been many trials, but I just remind myself of where I once was and how far I've come. If nothing else, falling back would hurt my pride. I can't fathom starting again at "day 1".

I am glad to see that this is becoming something people can talk about and that our society is becoming more aware of it. No one, especially a child/teen, should have to go through this alone.