Lifetime: When did your rebellious behavior spiral out of control?
Howland: When I was very young. I started taking pills randomly in sixth grade. I came from a really small town where there wasn't anything to do. That boredom and curiosity launched me into doing what I did, and I got stuck in a rut.

Lifetime: Who were your really bad influences?
Howland: Myself. I made my own decisions, and no one forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. I usually found the bad resources myself.

Lifetime: Do you think your parents' divorce added to your problems?
Howland: No, and I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions today. People always want to pin blame on divorces.
Dudman: I used to think it was my fault because of my divorce, but when I went to different treatment facilities, I met all kinds of parents - rich, poor, married, divorced - dealing with the same problems. There's no single profile for troubled adolescence.

Lifetime: What was the hardest part of dealing with Georgia's problems as a single mom?
Dudman: I didn't have anyone to bounce things off of, so I felt very alone. I also thought I was a big failure as a mother, since there was no one to tell me that it wasn't all my fault.

Lifetime: What did you think about your parents sending you to a wilderness program to help you?
Howland: I thought I was going camping on an Outward Bound thing where I'd get skinny and tanned. I had no idea how strict it would be or what was gonna happen. And I got strip-searched twice - not a good welcome.

Lifetime: Was the school you attended for troubled kids any better?
Howland: The school was not a good place. When I first arrived, kids took me aside and said, "Don't fight them; just play along." It was like a bad science-fiction movie. It may work for some, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Lifetime: What made you finally realize that you needed a change?
Howland: When I was living on the streets after running away the first time, I met so many incredibly intelligent and creative people who didn't want to live by the bounds of society. I realized that this was how I could end up.

Lifetime: How does it feel knowing your story is being made into a TV movie?
Dudman: A little weird! It's odd seeing someone trying to approximate your life, but it's also exciting to have our experience shown to millions. I hope viewers take away the message to not give up on their kids. We were in really rough shape, but we got through it and are now doing really well. Anyone can arrive at a different place in her life, given determination and persistence.