To truly understand addiction and recovery, we must step outside the box of the status quo and challenge conventional wisdom. We must look deep within and challenge ourselves. We must observe reality and see things as they are. Addiction and alcoholism will contort and confuse the mind of not only an addict, but a sane loved one just the same, so this collection of ideas, concepts, passages and quotes from my years of writing about addiction is for both fellow addicts and the countless loved ones out there who have stuck by us and loved us unconditionally while we remained preoccupied with ourselves and our comfort. This book should help take what is a dark and painful subject and shine a light on it. Needless to say, these are just words on a page and can never be equated with pure action. We must not simply read but must work hard if we are to effect real and lasting change, if we are to build an inner reservoir of peace and strength, if we are to achieve escape velocity and enter a new world of freedom.