Firstly I acknowledge Bill W, the founder of 12 Step fellowships, a drunk, a madman and a prophet who had the foresight and humility to make this an ‘anonymous’ program. Somehow he and his co-founders were able to wrangle their leviathan egos in order to perfectly establish this phenomenal template.
I acknowledge all the drug addicts and alcoholics who have helped me in my own recovery, too many to name or even rightly remember but to whom I am forever indebted and connected.
Starting with the singular and magnificent Chip Somers and including some giant souls, flawed incendiary, gentle savages, wild sages. Alfie, James, Sadie, Sandy B, to name but a few, room after room of casual, holy eloquence. Noreen Oliver, a Chanel-wrapped saint with a flick knife in her pocket.
Peggy, the octogenarian gangster, dispensing love like moonshine, Monica, her sidekick – everyone at Friendly House.
My Wednesday friends, Deano, Uncle Rod, Richard, Mark, Simon, Brian, Will, Steve, Rick, Sam, Leon, Vernon, Jeff, Jake, Damo and of course Nik.
My mates who walk the path with me – Sy the sulking siddhu, Jeff, James, Perry.
Jason, my dear friend and brother but ‘only in the world . . .’
My silent partner, thanks for riding shotgun and not firing too often. Thanks for the crosses in from the right, providing Andy Carroll balls to get on the end of.
Bobby Roth, my dear brother further down the transcendent pathway, thank you.
Radhanath Swami, for guiding me out of the swamp. Hare Krsna.
Jimmy M, mentorship, classical wisdom via Goodison Park. Intense grace, ‘enlightened self-interest’, constantly quoted and appreciated. Thank you.
Meredith and Wainwright, The Churchills: . . . ‘I adore you both, Roshis, Wisdom at the point of a pin.’
Tim M, compassionate assassin, compiler and composer of much of the material in this book, especially the worksheets and the formula for Steps 4–10.
Herb K for his book Twelve Steps to Spiritual Awakening.
Patrick Carnes.
All the perverts and malcontents I’ve been in treatment with. The counsellors and mental health professionals. Jackie. Sam. Tony. Travis.
All the various editors and collaborators that have helped me as a writer. Ben Dunn, Byngo, Fran, Martino Sclavi, John Rogers. 9
Gareth Roy, a tiger behind the lens, guiding me gently.
Jengo.
Nicola Schuller, Sharon Smith, my dear sisters.
Karl Theobald, for the ongoing contributions to my worldview. Working. Class. Hero.
Matt Morgan, for the pricking and goading.
Gee, for Jedi nights.
Adam Venit, a big Hollywood agent with an unHollywood heart. He is one 100 per cent real for his 10 per cent.
Simon, Jessica and all at WME.
My new management team: Hannah Chambers, who uses ‘the finger’ and ‘fuck you’ as unthinking negotiation tools. Charlie, Katy, Sophie, George. Thanks.
Bev James, who is devoted and potent and authentic. Who has worked on this book on faith alone, thank you.
All at Pan Macmillan, Jodie and Hockley, and Gillian in the Flat Iron citadel.
And dear CarolA, who began as a stalking horse, to drive negotiation with another publisher, but with elegant tenacity, with fluid and feminine passion became my partner on this book. Gentle strength, exactly what the world needs. Thank you.