John
John
Because of stigma, no one wants to see mental health
Growing up as a kid outside of Chicago, John describes a sadness that he didn’t notice in other kids. He was easily frustrated and socially awkward.
As a high school student, John’s grades were good, but he could feel depression surrounding him, suffocating him. He didn’t want to let people down by asking for help, so he turned elsewhere.
I was 14 when I started drinking. Alcohol lured me in. When I was drunk, the sadness was gone.
Alcohol use was common among John’s family and friends, and nobody thought much of his drinking, but it became unmanageable for him. When he turned 25, John realized the late parties and all-day hangovers needed to stop, even as those close to him insisted he didn’t have a problem.
I had to convince people that something was wrong. It seemed nobody wanted me to quit. I even had a woman come up to me at a party and pour a drink in my mouth.
A few years later, John’s primary care doctor suggested he see a psychiatrist who prescribed him his first antidepressant medication.
Although his struggles with alcohol continued, within just a few months the medication started to work.
One morning I woke up and realized my life was completely different. I could experience hope and see solutions to problems. It was not all gloom and doom.
Despite the progress, John would endure a failed marriage and multiple attempts at sobriety before Alcoholics Anonymous would help free him of his addiction.
He has not had a drink in two years. He enjoys being a father of two and best friend to his terrier-spaniel mix, Abbie.
John is working with local schools on a plan to impart his life lesson to high school students, so that young people know it’s okay to seek help.
Don’t wait until you’re 40 years old to get your life in order. You might have this feeling you are letting people down, or not living up to their expectations.
In reality, the surest way to succeed is to reach out for help.
