Please get help

The following was sent to us via the "Tell Us Your Story" form and posted with the users permission.

By Sam:
A few years ago I got sucked into a virtual world that was plain wrong. My crime is possession of child pornography and though I don't exactly know why i did it, the only thing I could relate to it was an addiction. I know for a fact that it is wrong and I needed help though I was to afraid of trying to seek it. After a 4 year investigation my final court date is tomorrow in which I will accept a plea deal of 2 years time and 10 years probation. Words can not begin to describe the fear which is flowing through me, and the worst part is I am only 26 and I feel as though my life is over. I have struggled with depression and anxiety my entire life and this is doing nothing but exacerbating the condition. At the time I thought to myself that I am not actively searching for a victim to rape so I am not harming anyone but that thinking is what got me in to this situation to begin with. Luckily for me, my friends and family and fiance are all supportive yet it almost doesn't seem like enough. One moment I feel as though I got this and the next I want to end it all. I have read horror stories online about how sex offenders are treated in prison and out and I fear my life is completely over. I ruined my chances at a great career and a great life and now I fear as though I may not make it out of prison alive mentally and or physically. My advice to anyone who is struggling with this same problem is please get the help that you deserve for not only yourself but also your loved ones.