Former Addict Finds New Path Through Blog, Book, Career

When you battle addiction for 28 years, attaining goals in life can be nearly impossible, as former Mokena resident and grad Tommy Connolly knows this firsthand.

At the age of 17, Connolly said he was a full-blown addict, and it only worsened through his adulthood. Then, one day at the age of 41, Connolly said he had a moment of clarity—and has been sober ever since.

Connolly reached his lowpoint as he laid in a heap on the floor, atop carpet wet with his own urine.

"And my wife looked at me, and she said, 'You're pathetic, and I really don't care what happens to you at this point,'" Connolly said. "And I could see right through it and there was nothing there. That was the last night I took a drink."

Since quitting cold turkey, Connolly has found meaning and purpose to his life. He's launched a new career as an actor, comedian and even a published author. Connolly said that his story proves that you're never too old to chase your dreams.

“I'm just trying to let people know, they can get through anything," Connolly said.

Now sober for three-and-a-half years, Connolly has appeared in several major motion pictures, including “Contagion,” several television shows and has an upcoming role in, “Just Kneel,” a movie he said that features himself playing a part that is very similar to his true life story.

Recently, Connolly published his first book, “Soul Parole: Making Peace with My Mind, GOD and Myself.” The book is a compilation of blog posts from his blogpress website, which is read in over 60 countries.

Connolly said that he will be hosting a dinner, book signing and show at the Harwood Post in Joliet on July 28. The cost for the event is $19.95, with a portion of the proceeds going to various charities in the Will County area. He added that his book is also availible on Amazon.com.

More information about the book and Connolly can be found on his Facebook page.