Most books on recovery from addiction focus either on the addict or the family. While most alcoholics and addicts coming out of treatment have a recovery plan, families are often left to figure things out for themselves. The author takes a fresh approach to the recovery process by making family members and friends part of the reecovery team, beginning in the early stages of sobriety.

Bill Moyers explores the issues of drug and alcohol addiction. Each program looks at different aspects of addiction and recovery, with shared experiences of addicts and those helping them toward recovery.

Alain Leroy is a self-destructive writer who is enduring a treatment in a private hospital because of his alcoholism. The doctor only sees the surface problem and declares it time for Alain to leave the hospital. Alain resolves to commit suicide, but first he goes to Paris and tries to reconnect with some old friends.