The author is continually surprised and thankful for her family's unconditional love and support. Whether she has had a bad day at school, moving to a new state, or even coming home after running away from home for months they are always there to encourage her and help her in any way possible. "I felt like the prodigal son being welcomed back into the fold and I shall never go away again" (p 74). Like a good family should they show their true love for her by forgiving her and just being happy that she is safe and home again even though they have been worried and hurt that she left

Persistence is an essential factor to not falling back into an old lifestyle that you have pulled yourself out of. "And now Chris and I have both pledged to each other that we're going to stay clean" (p 56). Regardless of how many times she makes the resolution to stay clean, the author always seems to fall back into the world of drugs. When she is in the mental institution she is at one of the lowest points in her life. "Sometimes I think death is the only way out of this room" (p 158). She fails to realize that if she has the perseverance to continue on, things will eventually improve. When you hit rock bottom the only way things can go is up. Finally at the end of the book she decides that she will never again do drugs. " I know I won't have any more drug problems..." (p 166). She is finally determined enough to quit so that she can have a future worth living for. The author learns that you have to stay strong because if you give up nothing will ever improve.

Some common words found in the essay are:
, I'm I'm, family persistence, self- confidence, importance family, stay clean,
Approximate Word count = 802
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)