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 what he considered a happy marriage, his wife 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.

About the Author :
John Buckingham Thomas is a successful healthcare industry executive, having served nearly 20 years as a corporate officer at Abbott Laboratories, advancing through the ranks and being elected as Vice President of Investor Relations and Public Affairs as well as President of the Abbott Fund by the company's Board of Directors by the age of 41. Early in his career, he served as the Editor and Publisher of The Oxford Times, a weekly newspaper. Later, he became an Editor and Senior Writer for Meredith Corporation, helping to produce the second-most-circulated magazine in the world: Better Homes and Gardens. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a degree in print journalism and magazine publishing, where he is currently the benefactor of an annual scholarship endowment for students in need. John is also the current Executive Director of the Overby Center at the university. Additionally, he earned an MBA (Master of Business Administration) with an emphasis on strategy from The Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (Illinois). He is also a sitting member of the Endowment Committee at St. David's Episcopal Church in Glenview, Illinois, where he served as an acolyte as a child and was later the sole benefactor of the complete restoration of the original church, affectionately called The Chapel, which he dedicated in honor of his deceased parents, Arthur W. Thomas and Suzanne J. Thomas. John is a generous philanthropist, an avid golfer, a boater, a fitness enthusiast, a lifelong Cubs fan, a Christian, a family man, and an advocate for substance abuse rehabilitation. He was married for 28 years and is the father of three children: Emma, Kara, and John William (JT).