Steven Adelman was born November 16, 1968 in Hillsdale, New Jersey the youngest of four children. Diagnosed 'Emotionally Disturbed' gave an increased feeling out of place, being defective, and resulted in getting teased, bullied, and having problems in school until the label of being placed into 'Special Ed' was added. This escalated into trouble with the law, neighbors, friends, family, and himself. Years of drugs and alcohol eventually lead to isolation, depression, and despair. There seemed to be nothing left before reaching near suicide around January 31, 2008. This was soon before entering an outpatient rehab to first become (and remain) sober, clean, and working the 12 steps to recovery. His first book, "Honest Open Willing...My Journey From Despair To Hope" was published an added attempt was to bring his life more into the public instead of isolating. Now Steven Adelman tries to carry the message of understanding to some, teaching others they too are not alone, and that there is hope!