Johncock, 26, who celebrates the milestone against Geelong on Saturday, admits to walking a slippery slope before his teammates intervened in round 17 of 2008.
He was sent back to the SANFL on the recommendation of the club's leadership group after failing to meet "the necessary standards" of preparation to play AFL.
He spent two weeks with the Port Adelaide Magpies and used his time outside the Crows' team to address some pressing lifestyle issues that were affecting both his football and general well-being.
"It was pretty tough at the time. I realised there was a problem myself, but didn't know how to tell anyone about it," Johncock said.
"It really hit home when the players could actually see it on me in the way I was playing, presenting at the club and training. That's when I knew I had to change a few things in my life."
Johncock, rather than being offended by his teammates' candour, accepted their feedback and sought help in the form of counselling to get his life back in order.
He was permitted to miss several sessions of pre-season training to attend a lifestyle management course and he believes he's emerged a better person for it.
"It's definitely changed the way I feel about footy and life in general," Johncock said.
"I feel you need to have these sorts of ups and downs in life. It can't always be smooth sailing and it gave me a bit of a wake-up call. I'm really enjoying my footy this year, and I don't often say it, but I actually enjoyed pre-season for once.
"I definitely feel happier and more energetic around the club than I did last year. The boys and the coaches have actually commented on it, which is good for them and good for me."
Johncock was dealt a cruel blow on the eve of round one this year when his mother tragically passed away. The rebounding defender went home to Port Lincoln to attend his mother's funeral as his teammates prepared for their clash with Collingwood.
He returned to the Adelaide line-up in round two and was among his side's best players in the loss to St Kilda.
At his best, Johncock is one of the most important players at West Lakes and he said he was confident he could recapture the form that once saw his represent his country.
"One thing I really want to do is to get back and enjoy my footy again, which I've sort of gone away from in the past few years and I'm doing that at the moment," he said.
"It's nothing major, but it's amazing how big a difference it makes. It helps me be in a positive frame of mind and if I'm enjoying things down here at the club, it transfers into my private life, which is going along well now."
