The Girl Behind the Painted Smile

*Contains strong language* Based on a true story With alternative, non religion-based 12 steps... Originally published January 2014 - Now republished. *Since this book was written, many of Cathy's troubled relationships with family and ex-partner have improved immensely and many old wounds have been healed. These people were also somewhat damaged and somewhere the cycle must be broken. In most cases it has - bar one or two relationships from earlier adulthood. Things have definitely changed direction and concluded happily... Cathy's life is spiralling out of control. Deeply scarred by a childhood of maternal neglect, she attempts to find solace in self-harm and delinquent behaviour. Before long, she is addicted to alcohol. Hidden behind a painted smile, Cathy begins a promising career as an actress and model, rubbing shoulders with royalty and the rich and famous. But Cathy is her own worst enemy and her continued dependence on alcohol hurtles her down a path of self-destruction. She endures a string of disastrous relationships, anorexia, poverty and almost loses her children. In this harrowing story, Cathy never loses her sense of humour and is determined to win the battle with the bottle, and herself.