A total of 68 women were involved in this study. Women who had received treatment from DART (drug and alcohol recovery treatment) at a prison recovery unit for substance-dependent inmates, regardless of their conviction, were surveyed with the aid of correctional officers, DART counselors, and student- inmates. The survey distributed included demographic questions about the participants and inquired about early criminal activities, frequency of criminal activities, and age of the participants at the time of those activities. It inquired about early drug experiences, frequency of drug use, as well as their ages at the time of those experiences. Data collection was proceeded by keyed-in computer grid entries and numerous statistical tests to determine the relationship of the variables. Tests were used to help understand the data. Results show that female offenders lived lifestyles comparable to that of career criminals prior to drug addiction experiences and prior to their first arrest followed by prosecution. That is, female criminals' career paths lead to drug addiction. What becomes clear in this study is that most female offenders are discovered or apprehended early in their criminal careers, but are rarely arrested and, if arrested, rarely prosecuted. 5 tables, 14 references, and a 35-item bibliography