Adam Banks: My Story
There is a line in the AA big book. It says that if we follow the steps of the AA program, we are promised a life beyond our wildest dreams.
When I was 32, I had a screwdriver in the morning of my vacation home in the Hamptons. I could never have imagined that life that would unfold for me. I couldn’t imagine a life without drinking at that time, and waking up not feeling sick. Nor imagine that I could ever be happy.
It took me a full two years to finally “get” lasting sobriety. I have used my sobriety as a launch pad for my life.
After I got sober, I was able to really focus on the company that I had started. I gave a physician friend just enough money to start his own medical practice.
As I was getting sober, the easy sales job that I had was not supportive of my sobriety. I needed a different job If I wanted to maintain sobriety, so I focused my energy on starting a healthcare business.
Career Change
My sobriety allowed me to show upon full force to help build this company. Over the next 7 years, I would grow the company to 3 locations, in NYC, and employ over 85 people. I could have never done this if I wasn’t sober.
During my time running that company, I was able to be a sober role model for employees. Consequently, I had the opportunity to help 3 employees go to rehab. I was a consistent and friendly employer. I often put the needs of employees in front of mine. I took lessons from AA and I worked them into my management style.
During my time running this company, I went back to college to get my MBA. Originally when I was applying for schools, I applied for low-level colleges that I thought were appropriate for my level. So, my sponsor in AA called me out, and said that I didn’t have faith in myself, observing that I had a bad image of myself.
Thus he encouraged me to apply for the top schools. I did get into one of the best universities in the country, the University of Chicago, where I received my MBA.
Family
As I was turning 40, with 6 years of sobriety, I wanted to have children. Hence, I took on adopting two children from Colombia on my own. International adoptions require many steps and a lot of paperwork. I could use my sobriety to get the required paperwork and do all of the classes while running my company.
In 2013, I adopted my first son. I am proud that he has never seen me drink. I hope that he will never see me drunk. We have openly discussed my history and my addictions so that he knows my past. This year he turned 21, and it has been interesting to watch him explore drinking. I encouraged him to be careful, but know that he will travel his own path. By openly discussing my addiction, I hope that I can be his role model. If he every has a problem, I hope that he comes to me early.
About Adam Banks
Adam Banks is a certified interventionist and the owner of Adam Banks Recovery. After receiving an MBA from the University of Chicago, Adam built a acquired by United Health Care. His discipline and attention to detail comes from his former career as an airline pilot, holding an ATP, the FAA’s highest license.
Today, Adam is dedicated to helping others achieve long-term sobriety. His work has guided executives, pilots, and physicians on paths to recovery. Adam brings families together through a loving and inclusive approach.
Adam has authored four books on addiction. His recent work, Navigating Recovery Ground School: 12 Lessons to Help Families Navigate Recovery, educates families on the entire intervention process. He also offers a free video course for families considering an intervention for a loved one.
Adam is available for alcohol and drug intervention services in New York, Long Island, the Hamptons as well as nationally and internationally.
