Doubting Thomas
One of the many great blessings I have in my life is interviewing graduates from Rocky Mountain Treatment Center. We do this to share with you success stories about people that were completely hopeless that found a beautiful world to live in and are living in it as a result of treatment. Everyone’s story is completely different and yet, totally the same. The best stories are the ones where a sick person realized how sick they were and sought to change. Thomas is completely different and totally the same as well.
As Thomas shared his story with me, I quickly came to realize I was dealing with an intellectual. And you know how they are! All kidding aside, I was introduced to a learned man of educational and professional training and experience. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees. He graduated law school, passed the bar and practiced for many years in highly complicated and important matters. Having a sense of moral obligation, he donated his time to good causes and helped others. On paper, he was the golden boy, the first choice, the right man for the job. So, what went wrong?
Booze.
Despite all the professional success he had, he had no personal and emotional success to enjoy. Despite all his good work and good works, there was still a hole left inside him that was best filled with crushed grapes or fermented barley. It got to where even Antabuse didn’t work anymore. He found that very dark place that so many of us know too well. It caused him to doubt himself and his very life.
He didn’t let go of the booze easily. It was covered with claw marks over the course of many years, including 4 inpatient treatments and 7 hospitalizations for alcohol detox. Thomas is sober today and will be celebrating a full year of sobriety in a month, something that he had not been able to do for most of his adult life. He is happy, content and purpose-driven. He recovers daily.
While this good news is sufficient for a happy ending, I wish to close with this epilogue:
Thomas did not go back to his high-powered attorney gig. While there was tons of money to be made there, his recovery came first. He was called into service work and went to work in the very same treatment center that he had gone through the year before. He now helps others find recovery. That’s why I don’t doubt Thomas.
Thank you
Jim
James A. Francetich is a freelance writer and author. The opinions expressed are solely of the author and do not represent any community based recovery programs, private or public entities or any governmental agencies.