On Sept. 13 retired U.S. national team soccer star and leading international goal scorer Abby Wambach released her new memoir “Forward.” In this tell-all narrative, Wambach admits to abusing alcohol and prescription drugs. She comes clean about her dark years during which vodka, Vicodin, Ambien, and Adderall consumed her life.

April 3, 2016 Wambach was arrested in Portland, Ore. and charged with a DUI.  In her memoir, Wambach says this incident was the best thing that has ever happened to her. It was the ultimate wake-up call. Wambach claims it was the humiliation from the arrest and DUI that not only led her to get help, but to acknowledge the pleas from family and friends.

After retiring last December, soccer fans honored Wambach for her unparalleled excellence.  She is the leading scorer in international soccer—male or female—ending her career with a total of 184 goals. She played in a total of four World Cup tournaments with the U.S. national team and acquired an Olympic gold medal from both the 2004 Games in Athens and the 2012 Games in London. Wambach’s publication is a move to preserve her legacy as a soccer star and overcome her struggle with drugs and alcohol.

Wambach has been sober since her arrest last April. Meanwhile, she has been campaigning for Hillary Clinton and has a weekly podcast for ESPN.  She is working on herself, rebuilding relationships and maintaining a clean lifestyle while serving as an example of perseverance.