Sober 14 years, John has been active in service for as long as I have known him. His wife of many years has stuck with him through much of his drama.
Born in Chicago, his family moved to Doraville, GA, a suburb in Northeast Atlanta, in his first months of life.
Not rich, his needs were provided. He did well enough in school without studying. He lasted only a year at the University of Georgia in Athens because alcohol and partying were more important.
He joined the army. Having scored high on the placement tests, John was assigned to the Artillery working on radar systems in El Paso, TX where the availability of booze and other entertainment, on both sides of the border, were major deterrents to him doing well in the service.
He and the Army parted ways. Back in Atlanta, living at first at his parents' house, he initially got a good job but could not keep it due to a "lousy attitude". He began to get lesser and lesser jobs.
He was mandated by the courts to AA in Atlanta but did not feel welcomed and did not want to be there.
He did quit on his own for 10 years.
"It was the most miserable time of my life."
And it was miserable for all those around him even though he was able to get and keep better jobs.
In Jamaica on a business trip, he had two beers and was able to stop. Back in Atlanta he convinced his wife that he could now drink successfully.
Quickly he was back into the old ways even lying about his drinking.
He reached a point where he could not stand it anymore and found the HOW Place.
He has been sober ever since.
