In the hundreds of hours spent writing this book, an image

kept .returning to me like a companion. I saw the recovering

men m my perr, onal life, my profession, and those who gener-

ously volunteered their stories for this book. Nothing is more

encouraging in my own ourney than seeing ano her man on

fire w th a renewed spirit. He often feels lucky to be alive and

may say, "1 feel llke a real person for the first time in my life."

He took the risk to believe he could change, He has more seIf-

esteem than ever before. He listens to his inner voice a nd has a

spiritual life. He has a new reservoir of energy, has faced pain,

and uses it t9 grow into a stronger, healthier man.

I return to this image because it is so encouraging I know

that once a man awaken~ he can begin profound change. But

we are social creatures; we need others to help discover the

best in ourselves. Just as I gained strength for my recovery by

knowing others on this path, I hope this book will be a com-

panion for you, offering encouragement and direction.

] also return to the image of those recovering men because

I know how lonely we have been, how crucial relationships are

for growth, how fully we expect to be alone, and how surpris-

ing it can be when we connect with others. My main goal in

writing this book is to provide an antidote to that loneliness; to

offer it as a companion on the journey for recovery. Perhaps

Sometimes it will also serve as a compass, helping you to find

direction, and sometimes as a bridge, helping you move to the

next part of the journey.

The companion may be found in the stories of other men s

experiences; the compass in the ideas and concepts about re-

covery; and the bridge in the practical parts of his book, the

concrete suggestions for how to do it, Most chapters contain a

mixture of all three elements but Chapters One, Two, and Four