Tom Latimer on Sobriety and Wrestling With the Past

PINNED TO FREEDOM –

June 4, 2021 – “…When I got fired from WWE for a drinking related thing, for touching a cop … For one, I was arrogant and I was in a good position, I thought ‘Oh, I’ll be fine.” Because I’d already been arrested before that, when I’d first signed with WWE, for a DUI. So they already knew I had a drinking problem. I was oblivious to it … because I wasn’t drinking every day, I was drinking occasionally. But when I’d drink that one time, I’d end up in trouble. So when they released me, they said ‘Go seek some help. Ya know, you’ve probably got a problem.’ I was still like ‘Nah, I don’t have a problem.’ and that’s how I still carried on for 10 years … Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful now. I’m in a good position, I’ve got a great relationship, I can run a household … I sort of just … grew up. But I look back at those ten years and always ask myself ‘Why did it take you TEN YEARS?’

There were so many chances, so many opportunities. I just honestly thought I was fine, but I was against the world. I was angry. Drinking also helped me to never deal with any of my feelings and it helped me to just not care. Cause when I did quit … and I tried to quit for several years, but finally with the help of Kailey, it was time, even though there were a million events that should have been the time … it’s dealing with the emotions, that’s the hard part. When I finally gave it up, there was no crutch. If I got angry, or something bad happened … you have to deal with everything.

When you’ve not dealt with ten years of your emotions and your behaviour… what you’ve done to people, the friends you lost, the marriages that have gone away and the people that you’ve hurt … it’s a lot to deal with.

But again, it’s the best thing I ever did and of course I always have to be careful. Always. But I never thought I would be a person who could say they’re sober. I never thought it was possible.

“…This is a scary statement to say, but I will never and can never drink again. Because, whatever takes over my body. Whatever possesses Thomas Latimer is not me, and there is no limit to what can happen when I’ve had drink. I could wake up in jail on a murder charge. I’m not willing to take that risk anymore. But that is how much it changes me as a human being.