"My Precious Child" Workbook was compiled and written over a15-year period of time. The information contained within the workbook was gathered through attending educational seminars and workshops, counseling clients and their families, and working through my ongoing personal life's challenges. This workbook is dedicated to all of those teachers, seminar leaders and clients who have helped me see myself and the world in terms far different than those that first led me into recovery.

As the deep emotional work that was available to clients over the past decade has declined due, in part, to a reduction of mental health and substance abuse health benefits, the individuals involvement in active recovery work has also declined. Self-help books and information found on the Internet has taken the place of face-to-face counseling. Although this information has provided relief to many, information alone is not a change agent for most people.

Now, more than ever, the focus of providers of self-help materials must be on helping individuals make difficult life-changes. The best way I have found to do that, short of working with a personal, trained counselor, is through the use of a workbook format. Specific questions are presented and individual responses are required. Problematic feelings and thoughts are uncovered and change is possible.

What is required of each individual is a sense of personal commitment and a dedication to the process as delicate information is uncovered. Hopefully this workbook will be a stepping-stone to a more personal and intense type of recovery, and individuals will seek help from a counselor in their community.

The workbook is written in the masculine form, which simplifies sentence structure and is not meant to be disrespectful.

Directions

"My Precious Child" Workbook, by the term's very nature and definition, is a vehicle that can assist the participant in "working" through specific incidents and situations that create dissension and conflict one's life. The Workbook falls in the category of "self-help" and can be used in that manner.

However, some people will use the Workbook as an adjunct to their already existing treatment regime. In other cases, it will be used by individuals who have completed some recovery work and are just trying to stay "tuned up". Others will use the Workbook as a tool to better understand themselves. All ways and motives are appropriate.

Each chapter of the Workbook begins with a few pages of text for the purpose of explaining the subject matter contained in that specific chapter. The text will be followed by a series of questions that require written answers. The participant chooses the way the answers are written. Some will write in full sentences with perfect punctuation, others will choose short phrases that run together, and still others will jot down words in no real order.

It is important to know why you are completing the Workbook exercises. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Why am I completing the Workbook exercises?
  
• What do I wish to accomplish by working through these exercises?
  
• What goals have I set for myself by completing the exercises in the Workbook?
  

After contemplating these question, and formulating initial responses to them, move on to Chapter One. You will find the exercises stimulating.