Age 12 was the first that I remember drinking to medicate, as an autistic and situational person, alcohol allowed for rigorous masking and full conversations. I eventually became physically and emotionally dependant. It wasn't made to last - it inevitably became uncontrollable. Becoming traumatised at 17 only made matters worse, my late teens were full of alcohol-related regret. I hated who I became.

I'm sober now, a much better person too. Representing themes of addiction and trauma through my art allow me a place to process those events. I wanted to get better, so I did. I thought myself a lost cause…perhaps I'm not?