Thomas or Alex? Here’s his story

On July 23, 1979 My handsome baby brother, Thomas Alexander McConatha, was born. He went by Alex and was the cutest little red headed boy you will ever see. Random people at the grocery store would walk up to him and give him money because he was that adorable. Fast forward to his early teen years, Alex started experimenting with substances.

Addiction runs in our family and by the time Alex was a young adult he was using heavily. He FOUGHT HARD to stop using. He went to rehab after rehab trying to get sober, especially after his daughter, Erin was born in 2005. Finally, in 2012 a guy named Ben Patterson gave him scholarship to a place called Brazos Recovery Center and that’s when Alex’s life started to change. Over the next several months, we watched a literal transformation happen. He dropped Alex and started going by his first name, Thomas. The name change was the least of the changes he was making in his life. He had finally made it, he was free! He was so happy, and hilarious and so grateful. He loved cool music, jiu jitsu and was a hardcore snack connoisseur. He had a huge heart and truly cared about people. He started working at Brazos and in the recovery field. He found his purpose. He dedicated his life to helping other addicts find their way out of this horrific disease. He helped hundreds of men and saved countless lives. He did AMAZING things, and was an inspiration to so many.

Then, in 2021 after some tragic events, including the drug related deaths of Ben Patterson, and his very close friend and colleague, Jon Waters, Thomas relapsed. Brazos Recovery changed and he moved back to Fort Worth. Once again the fight was on. One treatment facility after the other. He worked SO HARD to stay sober. He was a recovery master, how could this be happening? He did all of the things and for months at a time he would do pretty well. Ultimately, his anxiety was just too much, he bought some pills and one of them contained a deadly dose of fentanyl. My mom found him unresponsive the morning of November 2, 2023. My brother John tried to revive him but it was too late. After everything Thomas had been through, and everything he’d accomplished, it was one little stupid pill that took his life.

Since then, we have committed to honor Thomas and carry on his legacy. He was one of a kind, full of love and compassion, especially for those who were down and needed help. His story only confirms ADDICTION IS A DISEASE and the treatment options available right now are not enough. The system is broken, the stigma is crushing and so much needs to change. Thomas was so loved by so many. He may not be here in physical form but I know he is still here, still fighting- just through us. Every story we share, every person we help, every mind we open…that’s him. That’s The Thomas Effect.