I first met Big Steve when I was visiting a rehab unit in Oxfordshire. He was 46 years of age and had spent 19 years of his life in prison whilst serving about 12 sentences. People like Big Steve, although intelligent, often have fragile and inconsistent support systems and are often left to “sort it out for themselves”. There are also many people who may have support systems but who have emerged from a lengthy period in the wilderness and who, therefore, also need some “reminders” about normal mainstream life.

This short book is, therefore, written for all those people who need a road map that might help them reclaim their lives and pursue eventual health, happiness and success. Some of the points made are re-affirmations of the “obvious”, but some of them are “less obvious”.

Some of you may choose to read all the book, whereas some may just pick out odd chapters which you feel are relevant to your situation. I feel that it’s important for you to do whatever works for you, and that credit should be given to you for trying to improve yourself and to move forward to a better life. Reclaiming your life is definitely the name of the game. It’s a smart person indeed who learns nothing from these few pages.