Anyone seen Dechaine?

I consider Mike to be a friend and am pulling for him 100%.

Could be that if he gets himself in order he just might come back to pool (if he chooses) stronger than ever. :)

Be well, MD.

best,
brian kc
 
Mainplayer said:
Over the last 4 months, pool has been a roller-coaster ride to say the least!!

I love pool, I am fortunate to have been able to travel around the world and most the people that I have met in this game are some of my closest friends. Unfortunately, it is time for me to put it aside and focus on some other career choices. I am not saying that I will never play in a Pro tournament again, but that will most likely be the case for 2017.

Throughout my 10 years of playing, I would say that I am a player that has caught the eyes of most in this game. Whether it’s my ability or the controversy, being a topic of discussion has made me crack. I am known to be a fierce competitor on the table, but off that table I am just like everyone else. That being said, one of my biggest struggles with pool is alcohol and I need to put my energy in the right places to beat this. It’ll be a battle, but one I know I can win.

Thank you all for the support over the years

Mike Dechaine
Click to expand...

Give AA a try-At least go to a couple of meetings even if you don't buy the whole 12 step thing. Just seeing very successful people who were once waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse than you, addiction wise, will give you strength in overcoming. Good luck
 
jay helfert said:
Dechaine took a train back home to Maine
He got caught in the rain, fell down and came up lame.
Now he's home resting and feeling no pain
His last words were, "playing pool for a living is insane!"
Click to expand...

Lesh said:
Hmmmmfff.....

So, Dechaine, in the rain
Falls mainly from a train?

Lesh
Click to expand...

There once was a man from Maine
Who said "Playing safe is a pain"
He said with a grin
As he fired another one in
My name is Dechaine, not Crane
 
Nostroke said:
Give AA a try-At least go to a couple of meetings even if you don't buy the whole 12 step thing. Just seeing very successful people who were once waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse than you, addiction wise, will give you strength in overcoming. Good luck
Click to expand...

AA is good as long as you have a sponsor and REALLY want to quit booze and/or drugs. The main thing is YOU have to want to quit for you.

My wife had me baker acted once and the judge gave me the option of jail or go to a rehab clinic for no less than a month. Both times my wife put me in South Oaks in Amityville, LI, NY. CEO's from Pan Am, Wall Street management, and others that could afford it were sent there by their companies. All I did for 30 days was play 3 cushion billiards and lawn games day and night and stayed stoned on the pills they gave me like clock work. After both stays I was drinking and doing drugs the second week out.

Been sober over 10 years now. It took me 50 years to get it. If it wasn't for my wife I would have been dead or spending my life in prison.Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
AA is good as long as you have a sponsor and REALLY want to quit booze and/or drugs. The main thing is YOU have to want to quit for you.

My wife had me baker acted once and the judge gave me the option of jail or go to a rehab clinic for no less than a month. Both times my wife put me in South Oaks in Amityville, LI, NY. CEO's from Pan Am, Wall Street management, and others that could afford it were sent there by their companies. All I did for 30 days was play 3 cushion billiards and lawn games day and night and stayed stoned on the pills they gave me like clock work. After both stays I was drinking and doing drugs the second week out.

Been sober over 10 years now. It took me 50 years to get it. If it wasn't for my wife I would have been dead or spending my life in prison.Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Everybody's path to sobriety is different. What may work for one may not work for another.

For some, the nudge from the judge is all it takes, and for others, they can't quit and end up dead or in jail.

And then there's the power of love. It's amazing how many people have changed their way of life thanks to the support of a significant other. :smiling-heart:

I never knew Mike D. to drink alcohol when I saw him out and about, but if he thinks it is causing a problem in his life, then bravo to him for taking care of it now while he's still a youngster. Wishing him the best! :cool:
 
I hope not but maybe, just maybe, he is sick and we should be sending him well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery.
He has contributed greatly to our sport and I'm sure most people would love to see more of his awesome games.
 
There are a lot of young players taking a break from trying to play pool for a living. I can think of 4 in the last few months that are top players. The lifestyle lends itself to unhealthy habits such as drinking. You can make a living at the game but you must treat it like a profession. What I mean by making a living at the game due to low prize money means finding other sources of income such as being a house pro, lessons, cue repair, league rep, sponsorship's, gambling with stake horses, etc.

The problem with this scenario is that the players just want to play and the economics of the game make it extremely difficult. Pool becomes a job and isn't as much fun.

Mike, take a break. Get yourself in a healthy way and then re-evaluate pool as a living. You have the skill set to make it financially with the sport, you just need to open your horizons on the different income streams available such as Scott Lee described. Also, if you do go back to pool, look for ways to balance your life outside the game. I've known many players is all that they do is pool and it will burn you out.
 
Johnnyt said:
AA is good as long as you have a sponsor and REALLY want to quit booze and/or drugs. The main thing is YOU have to want to quit for you.

My wife had me baker acted once and the judge gave me the option of jail or go to a rehab clinic for no less than a month. Both times my wife put me in South Oaks in Amityville, LI, NY. CEO's from Pan Am, Wall Street management, and others that could afford it were sent there by their companies. All I did for 30 days was play 3 cushion billiards and lawn games day and night and stayed stoned on the pills they gave me like clock work. After both stays I was drinking and doing drugs the second week out.

Been sober over 10 years now. It took me 50 years to get it. If it wasn't for my wife I would have been dead or spending my life in prison.Johnnyt
Click to expand...


Im not saying it is a lock-just it is worth a try.
I went into rehab in NY also-in 78-They didnt give me ONE pill- I lasted exactly 100 days-In 89 i finally succeeded without another rehab stint.

Most of my rehab mates made it less than a week-one was let out at noon and was banging on the doors at 6, drunker than hell.
 
Last edited:
Mainplayer said:
Over the last 4 months, pool has been a roller-coaster ride to say the least!!

I love pool, I am fortunate to have been able to travel around the world and most the people that I have met in this game are some of my closest friends. Unfortunately, it is time for me to put it aside and focus on some other career choices. I am not saying that I will never play in a Pro tournament again, but that will most likely be the case for 2017.

Throughout my 10 years of playing, I would say that I am a player that has caught the eyes of most in this game. Whether it’s my ability or the controversy, being a topic of discussion has made me crack. I am known to be a fierce competitor on the table, but off that table I am just like everyone else. That being said, one of my biggest struggles with pool is alcohol and I need to put my energy in the right places to beat this. It’ll be a battle, but one I know I can win.

Thank you all for the support over the years

Mike Dechaine
Click to expand...

Good luck to you. I wish you success in what ever you decide to do.
 
In my heart there are 2 thoughts and a lot of words that want to come out, but I'll keep them to me this time.

Mr Dechaine, please focus on your health and I wish you all the best for that. It took me long enough to understand the saying "All is nothing without health".

Cheers,
M (rather European today again)
 
Good luck Mike!

Maybe we'll see you at Rack City at some point again sometime....
 
Impressed with MD's honesty in his post. I wish him the very best in the road that he chooses especially in overcoming his demons.
 
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