DR. WALLACE: I'm an 18-year-old young lady who has done a lot of things I'm not proud of. These include episodes of drugs, alcohol, promiscuous sex and retail theft.

About a year ago, I decided that my life was useless and my future was dark, so I attempted suicide by taking 10 sleeping pills. My mother found me unconscious, dialed 911, and I was rushed to a hospital. I survived, but was not happy about it.

Then I met a psychologist who was also active in his church. After three months of therapy and attending church for the first time ever, I decided to change my life by eliminating all of my very bad and undesirable habits. For the first time I can remember, I could say that I was happy.

Then at church I met the guy I'm currently dating. He brought uncontrolled joy to my life. He knew about my sordid past, but he said the only thing that mattered was my very bright future. I thought I was falling in love with him. He was bright, intelligent and extremely compassionate.

For the first few months, everything was perfect in our relationship. Then one night he told me his best friend, who has his own apartment, was going to be out of town during the holiday season and had offered the use of the apartment. He wanted to rent a movie video, pop popcorn and "kick back." I thought this would be a wonderful change of pace.

But when he popped in the movie, I was shocked to find out it was an X-rated porno film! When I told him I really wasn't interested in watching it, he got upset and said I had to watch it or he would never go out with me again. I made a bad choice; I stayed.

After the movie ended, he started forcing himself on me. When I told him I wanted to go home and was not going to have sex, he said he would take me home, but unless I had sex with him our relationship was over. When he took me home, the last thing he said was, "Since you slept with a ton of guys in Memphis, you had better sleep with me." This made me feel terrible.

Now I'm finding myself missing him and wondering if I made a mistake in not giving in to his demands. I'm writing to you because I know you will tell me I made the right decision. Dr. Wallace, at this moment I truly need your support. — Nameless, Memphis, Tenn.

NAMELESS: You made the correct decision and have my support 100 percent! This guy is a phony — a wolf in sheep's clothing. What matters is that you stayed true to yourself and your new ideals, and refused to give in to your past when it tried to make an unexpected reappearance.

You have indeed changed your life, pulling yourself out of that dark, go-nowhere past and giving yourself a bright future. Contact me occasionally and keep me informed of your progress!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Victor