How’d they “lose two children”?
It seems like he is saying over the course of 5 years two kids died. I skimmed the article so I may be wrong
Losing a child is difficult and can cause mental break downs and marital breakdowns. Perhaps after getting fired it was just all too much
Probably miscarriages.
I've had more than my fair share of grief, but, so far, I've kept it together. Being sober was helpful there, for keeping it together, that is. Had I been drinking, I'm sure I would have come apart.
Booze and grief can turn into crippling self-pity, and then you're screwed.