Rare condition sparks sobering book

Carbs that convert to alcohol cause symptoms of drunkenness



LIFE STORY—Camarillo resident Nick Kearin tapped into his experience for his book, “Life on the Rocks,” which offers what the author calls pathological optimism Below, Kearin and his wife, Amy. Photos by RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

LIFE STORY—Camarillo resident Nick Kearin tapped into his experience for his book, “Life on the Rocks,” which offers what the author calls pathological optimism Below, Kearin and his wife, Amy. Photos by RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

Nick Kearin spent the majority of seven years sleeping. He was exhausted, confused and plagued by headaches but couldn’t figure out why.

He was eventually diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome, a rare condition that converts carbohydrates into alcohol, resulting in symptoms of drunkenness.

Once he had a diagnosis he was able to treat the condition by changing his diet.

Kearin, a husband and father of four, talks about his road to recovery in his first book, “Life on the Rocks.”

“It offers messages of love, forgiveness, redemption, hope and what I call pathological optimism,” said Kearin, a Camarillo resident.

He said his illness left him with post-traumatic stress disorder, and he was never inclined to discuss his darkest days.

But his children asked him to document his experience. Kearin’s daughters Nikayla and Mary wrote their college application essays about how a disease had left them with a dad who was not absent but not present either.

 

 

Seeing how his condition had harmed his family helped Kearin realize that writing could be healing.

“My goal was just to capture the journey for my family,” the sales manager said. “I had no intention of it becoming a book.”

But then Christian Faith Publishing discovered his work and published the 94 pages in November 2021.

The book is now being adapted into a screenplay.

“I’ve been truly honored and humbled by this process,” Kearin said. “It’s really taken on a life of its own.”

The author believes the success of the book lies in its universality.

“We all run into seasons that are difficult,” he said. “I wanted it to be relevant to anybody who happened to pick it up and might be going through a difficult time or know, love and support somebody going through a difficult time.”

Though their Christian faith is what kept his family together and is emphasized throughout the book, “Life on the Rocks” respects readers of all faiths.

“I wanted to be true to our own journey and reflect that without telling the reader what to do,” Kearin said. “If it led them down a faith journey, then that was even better.”

He said it’s always been in his DNA to search for silver linings— even when he couldn’t get out of bed—but his illness taught him the difference between happiness and joy.

Happiness derives from external situations, he said. Joy is internal, and he finds it in his faith and family.

“There may be days I’m not necessarily happy, but I’m still full of joy,” he said. “It’s the gratitude I have for everything.”

Kearin also learned that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is not just a phrase. He said his challenges truly made him a better person.

“I came out of it with the thought of I want to squeeze every ounce out of every minute of every day,” he said.

Perhaps the greatest benefit has been an ability to understand others’ emotions and ensure that they know they aren’t alone.

“Being present to every single person I’m with has really opened up doors where I’ve been able to help,” he said.

Pain, he said, is inevitable, even if it’s invisible. He was shocked when a friend, a man whose life seemed to be perfect from the outside, died by suicide several years ago.

The tragedy prompted Kearin to organize what he calls the upper room: a monthly meeting for men at his parish to practice vulnerability. They discuss their struggles and ask each other for help.

The message he shares with the members is the same he hopes to share with readers.

“Don’t give up hope,” he said. “Always be optimistic, always be joyful and look forward to that day you emerge from your situation stronger.”

Makena Huey is on Twitter @MakenaHuey.