Dying To Drink

Imagine being happily married to a beautiful wife with a lovely family, being a much sought-after C-level corporate executive of a publicly traded, Fortune-200 company, having nice cars and vacation homes, and even traveling the globe - and then your fairytale world collapses at least in part.

John Thomas found himself with serious problems - not financial, work-related issues, wavering markets, or even problems with other people. He, himself, was his problem.

It turns out John had an undiagnosed bipolar mania disorder, characterized by intense emotions and erratic hyperactivity, and abated only by an absurdly strong affinity for single-malt scotch to squelch inhibitions and ongoing mood swings. And there were consequences, such as divorce, traffic violations, serious health issues, and more.

After 28 years of a happy marriage, his wife, Mary Elizabeth Schmitt, divorced him. His children distanced themselves. Despite all of his successes, he felt empty and alone; there was no one or anything that helped, at least that's what the scotch kept telling him. That's what happened to John until he hit a wall and needed a serious intervention.

His family was supportive. So were his friends. And then he, too, realized he needed help. That help came in the form of world-class treatment facilities, doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, and medications - through not once, not twice, but three rehabilitation efforts. It was the professional help that finally led to his proper diagnosis and the correct medical treatment. But it was the unwavering support of his friends and loved ones who were a powerful force in his recovery. You don't have to be alone; loved ones care and want to help.

John's story is not just one of triumph but also one of resilience and persistence. His journey was not easy by any means; however, he never gave up, proving that no matter how tough the journey, recovery is always within reach. He hopes that his story will inspire others facing similar daunting circumstances to keep fighting because there is always hope and a better life waiting on the other side of dependence.