Our seventh spotlight in the FACES OF HOPE: WE DO RECOVER series will focus on Larry Salyer’s story, The Higher Power.
I started smoking weed at the age of 13 and doing pills at the age of 15. In 1983, at 19-years-old, I started working for the oil company in Ashland. I continued using even when I was working. In 1991, I failed a drug test and decided to try being sober. I was clean for 30 days and went back to work.
My using and abusing never stopped. I worked the same job until 2011, 28 years total. I realized I was a functioning addict. My daughter was born in 1990 and my son in 1994. I tried very hard to take good care of my family. I showed them love, raised them in church and made enough money to pay for everything my family needed. I let drugs take over my life after I retired.
In 2011, I started using more powerful drugs, you know the drugs that would speed my system up. I got out of control! My wife and kids tried to help me, but at the time I didn’t want any help. I finally hit rock bottom on January 20 2015, when I was taken to jail. I finally took some time to talk to my wife and admit that I needed help. She told me there was help at a recovery house and that’s when we found Belle Grove Springs (BGS). I went to BGS on February 4th, 2015. After a few weeks my “stinkin’ thinkin’” turned into positive thinking. I asked God and received Him into my life and I have been working very hard on learning and living His word. I have worked in the 12 steps, attended meetings, participated in community service activities and have stayed focused during many class times to learn about living sober and walking in recovery with Christ. 180 days in the Belle Grove Springs program felt like such a short time and I know for a fact that my time there and the greatness of God changed me. I had a fresh start with God, my wife and my children. I now attend church with my wife and family and we are rooted into our church family. I have found that God is true love to me and in my life and I know if I continue to follow him, I will continue to beat this addiction and walk in recovery with him.
My Aha Moment?
I got caught up in a drug charge 19 months ago and went to jail for the first time in my life. Here I was at the age of 50 and in jail trying to figure myself out. They say you have to hit rock bottom sometimes to really put things into perspective. My rock bottom moment was sleeping 15 days on concrete and visiting my wife and kids thru a glass window. I knew it was time to try and make a real change. Being raised in a good God believing home, I asked God, my “Higher Power,” to help me and he did. Through lots of praying from my family, my wife’s family, church family and real friends, the court system agreed to let me attend a 180 day men’s rehab which was Belle Grove Springs. That’s when I worked the 12 steps and built my relationship with God. Over the last 19 months, I have continued learning on how to deal with triggers and cravings.
Describe your feelings on active addiction?
The longer you’re in addiction the less control you have over it. It becomes about just getting through another day.
What is the driving force that keeps you going when times get tough?
You have to rely on your Higher Power for whatever your addiction is. My Higher Power is God and as long as you have the faith, he will make a way. It’s like any other relationship, the more you put into it, the more you gain. Family is very important, if it’s loving and positive. I have a new grand baby now, church family and support groups. I have also put good people into my activities and am active in multiple church groups.
What advice do you have for the addict that is still struggling?
Don’t give up!! Find good people to be with. There are several support groups here in Louisa. Get involved with positive surroundings.
What advice do you have for family members of a person in active addiction?
Try to support them in a caring way, but don’t support their bad addictive habits. Get them to go to support groups or to a residential treatment center. I did 180 days in BGS, and it and God has really been the biggest factor in changing my life.
Closing Thought
I am very grateful for BGS treatment center and for rebuilding my relationship with God. I know that he will continue to get me through my cravings and triggers. My days are now more joyful and rewarding. I have a whole new outlook on my life by being sober.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call Addiction Recovery Care at 606.638.0938 or visit them on the web at www.arccenters.com.
There is hope. There is help.
