When I first arrived at prison in 2010, I didn’t think I’d make it. I was 23 years old and my release date was over a decade away. I was almost certain that my mental illness would drive me to suicide before I was freed. Playing cards, daytime television, and lifting weights couldn’t keep my dark thoughts away. I needed more.

I wanted to hone a skill that would be applicable once free. Further education wasn’t an option; the prison’s school only extended to high school, and I already had my GED. It looked like I was on my own.

I had grown into an avid reader during my time in the county jail and figured I’d try writing. I enjoyed the process of organizing my thoughts on paper and knew I had a story to tell. I was 23 years old and formed a plan: I would read every book made available, I would teach myself creative writing, and I would write a book on my experiences with mental illness and addiction.

Shouting into the Darkness: Life as a Mentally Ill Drug Addict in the 21^st Century is the result of my efforts. I hope my story helps others who deal with mental illness and addiction; I hope it helps those who love them–neither are alone in their struggles, and I want them to know that.