Alcoholism is one of the biggest public health crises in the United States today, and it has been for generations. We know this because of the statistics and information on alcoholism and addiction that have collected over the years, showing how alcohol and substance abuse have affected people across genders, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. According to the CDC, six Americans a day die from alcoholism. Michael Blanchard nearly became one of those statistics.A successful Fortune 500 CEO and family man, Blanchard had a hidden secret - alcoholism. It became so severe that it landed him in jail, with three DUI arrests in as many months, and drove him close to suicide. His marriage was crumbling. Commitment to a psychiatric hospital, followed by a three-month stay at an Arizona rehab center that specializes in treating professionals — doctors, nurses, pilots and executives — began the turnaround for Blanchard. Then he picked up the lens, taking prize winning photos. The result is the book, Through a Sober Lens that features both his photography and the story of overcoming alcoholism with advice for others. Today, Blanchard donates profits from his book to non-profits that combat addictions and speaks around the nation about combatting alcoholism and how to do it. He has tips on how to overcome addictions and live a better life.
I had a chance to interview him to learn more.
What was the turning point for you in your battle against alcoholism?
I spiraled out of control very quickly after a 35 year build up. After my 3rd arrest in 3 months for drunk driving I purchased Xanax over the internet, and I decided to end my life. I was in the process of consuming the pills with vodka when I was caught and sent to a lockdown psychiatric unit for 2 weeks. There I discovered a physician who changed my life. As the medical director at the facility, he looked me in the eye and said, “I am you - I made it back and you can make it back too.”
He told me that he was a recovering alcoholic, once with a blood alcohol of 600 and on life support at the same hospital where he worked as a physician. His authenticity grabbed me. For the first time I didn’t feel alone. I was the Chief Operating Officer of a company with 1000 people, and he convinced the senior administration not to fire me. My attorney made a plea deal with the prosecutor and I was sent to a 3-month rehab instead of prison for 2 years. I attended the same rehab that saved my angel, the medical director.
I still felt my life was over but his authenticity created a small shif in my energy toward hope. I vowed if I ever made it back, I would be authentic also.
Were you ever in denial about your alcoholism?
I learned in my Master’s program in Psychology there are a number of different patterns of alcoholism. I was a Marathon runner who gradually switched from endorphins to alcohol over a 35 year period. Up until the last few years I denied I had an alcohol problem. I had multiple ulcers and convinced myself vodka would heal them. I noticed pain relief every time I drank and it seemed to make sense! But in the end, over the last 4-5 years prior to my downfall, I knew I was in trouble but couldn’t stop. I would purchase a quart of vodka, take several gulps and then pour the rest down the drain vowing to never drink again. Only to be followed by another trip to the liquor store when the buzz wore off. I poured gallons of vodka down the drain. I knew I was an alcoholic but that awareness meant nothing. I was lost and didn’t know how to find my way home.
Why did you write this book?
I wrote the book to make sense of my life and to help others with what I had learned. There is something therapeutic when looking at stories and photographs that chronicled my healing from alcoholism.
By putting words to paper, they were no longer inside me threatening my sobriety. My thoughts and feelings became tangible and I could make sense of things. I also learned my words and photos were helping others heal. I received thousands of messages over the years on social media thanking me for my honesty.
I decided to take to take the best of the social media posts and put them in the book to reach a wider audience. Lastly, I am 63 year old. I am at a stage of life where I want to leave a lasting legacy. My life finally means something and I want to know a part of me will live on after I am gone.
Tell us about your book.
Through A Sober Lens is a compilation of short stories inspired by photographs. The passages represent a subset of stories published on social media over my 10 year journey back from the bottom. When I learned photography, it soon became apparent the purpose was to convey messages of hope. Hanging framed photos on a gallery wall wasn’t enough. Photos became my communication language. I spoke openly and honestly about the pain of addiction. The stories represent all sides of the issue. Whether you are a husband or wife or friend of an addict or alcoholic there are passages that reduce the stigma and lead to greater understanding.
Many of the stories have to do with hope, love, and empathy; and apply to nearly anything, not just addiction. The book is real but also uplifting. I have a short attention span. I don’t do well with 600 page novels. I created short one page essays allowing the reader to open to any page, in any order, and see a complete message of hope. Through A Sober Lens has been called a coffee table book with a message. It is likely one of the few books on Amazon s to achieve best seller status in two categories - Recovery, and Landscape Photography at the same time.
How did photography motivate you?
The process of the taking and editing of photographs took me out of isolation and brought me back to life. When I discovered photography I sought to connect with nature and avoid people! I picked times and places to minimize the likelihood I would run into someone. I had been sober for 3 years but still preferred alone time over talking with others.
As I headed out with the camera, I ran into people despite my best efforts to avoid them. During those encounter’s, forced myself to engage with the people rather than avoid and run away. It was only when I let others in did the truly meaningful photographs and stories evolve. If you look closely, most of the stories in Through A Sober Lens are written around the people I chose to let in. I learned that meaning comes from connection with others, not just waves and beaches. I learned that photographs could help heal both others and myself at the same time.
What do you attribute your love of photography too?
This may sound a little corny but I didn’t choose inspirational photography, it chose me. I was the COO of a company in Maine and 3 years into sobriety. I discovered photography after listening to a speech about a bipolar alcoholic businessman who found connection and peace in the taking and editing of photos. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no plan when I started. I found connection and peace out on the beaches, fields and in the forests. I was there for the connection, not the photographs. People seemed to like my photos. I knew however, the taking and editing of photos wasn’t enough. I felt the need to give back to others. I took photographs that reflected the turmoil inside me. I was able to get things out of my system by embedding them in the pictures. I started to write my thoughts and attach them to the pictures. I came “out of the closet” and told the world who I was. Inspirational photography was born. Photographs are not the end, but rather the means to connecting to spirit and helping others.
What is your favorite photo in your book, and why?
This bird is me
Early on in sobriety when I started to learn how to use a camera, I took a photo of a Sanderling looking out into a great ocean. It stood alone trying to decide what to do next. The ocean looked beautiful but seemed blurry. Everything in the photo was out of focus except the bird and the sand beneath its feet.
After falling down and losing much of the world that preceded, the bird finally had its feet on packed sand; it could see itself again as worthy; it had a place in the world even though the exact place was unclear. I called the photo “Starting Over” and the story is in my book, and the picture became my favorite of all time.
How can people support those in their lives that are struggling with alcoholism?
As part of my journey I speak regularly to individuals and families who have loved ones struggling from the disease of addiction. It is not unusual for me to be on a Zoom call with 50-75 sets of eyes staring back at me for some sign of hope or words of wisdom. Seeing the pain and confusion in the faces of each family member sometimes feels unbearable knowing I was the person doing the same to my family. When a son or daughter dies from addiction the parents take on the entire responsibility. A life’s sentence of guilt and regret even if they acted out of love. There is no right answer and every case is different. I have learned however, that love, empathy, kindness and refraining from judgement are key constituents to any approach. If an addict or alcoholic feels loved, supported and less shameful they are more apt to speak out and seek help. There is immense power in the simple act of giving a hug.
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