Sandy Larson, of Cassville, first told her story of recovery two years ago, on May 26, 2021.

Sandy’s Celebrate Recovery testimony was part of a 12-part series published in the Cassville Democrat, one step of the 12-step program for each month of the year.

At that time, she was six years into her recovery journey from alcohol and continues to hold herself accountable to this day.

It wasn’t until Sandy was in her 30s that she realized she had a problem with alcohol. Because it is a legal substance, it is hard to recognize it as a problem.

After a number of DWI’s and car accidents, she finally began to see the problems alcohol was causing in her life.

Sandy spoke a lot about the generational problems with addiction. She realized that there was alcoholism in her family, specifically her mom’s side of her family.

Sandy said she was getting DWIs and calling into work late due to hangovers, but when she was in her 40s, she started to have health concerns related to alcoholism.

“I began having seizures,” she said. “I don’t remember dates or timelines very well.”

She said one of the side effects of alcoholism is memory loss.

“I don’t remember when all the wrecks happened,” she said. “They were bad, but even though they almost kill you, you still have that addiction. I would heal up, then go get a drink.”

Larson believes her first seizure was in 2014.

“I would just drink and forget to eat,” she said. “They put me in a medically induced coma to nourish me back to health. If I was smart, I would have gone to rehab right out of the hospital.”

The doctor told Larson’s now-fiancé if she continued to drink, she would be dead within a year.

“But I continued to drink, and I continued to have seizures and blackouts,” she said. “Finally, I just got tired of being tired. I was going nowhere, and everyone was mad at me.”

She got sober a few times, but often relapsed, until she finally went to Celebrate Recovery.

“I knew that I was not going to do recovery without God,” she said. “When you don’t have anybody, he is always there. I can’t count the number of times I asked God, ‘Please help me.’” Step five is admitting to God, yourself and another human being the exact nature of your wrongs.

Two years ago, Sandy was six years sober, holding down a job, and got her driver’s license for the first time in 12 years.

“I truly believe that addiction can be hereditary,” she said. “Thinking back to problems on my mom’s side of the family, and then watching myself go through what I did, only to see my children struggle, too, I think people need to better realize those connections to keep them and their children safe.”

Today, Sandy is still sober, she will celebrate 8 years of sobriety on Aug. 8, 2023.

However, she has suffered a number of terrifying and debilitating health issues over the past two years.

“I had a Stoke in October 2021, I believe,” she said. “After that I even stopped smoking cigarettes. That was harder than quitting drinking I think.”

Sandy doesn’t remember the dates or how long she was in the hospital from her strokes.

“I know I had multiple strokes though,” she said. “I was having strokes over a period of time and between that and the alcoholism, my memory has gotten worse.”

However, sandy said it has not been a struggle for her to stay sober through her recovery from the strokes.

“All of these things that have been going on with me, but I am sober by golly,” she said. “I still have a long way to go, but I have always had my faith. I have a hard time getting around, so I have not been going to church or even CR lately.”

Sandy had to relearn to walk and talk, and she still falls a lot.

“After my stroke it was like everything changed for me,” she said. “I have had to change my whole life. I worked hard all my life and it doesn’t seem fair that I can’t drive or work or do all of the things I could do before.”

Sandy said her fiancé is her rock, and he takes care of her physically and emotionally.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there are many things that can contribute to an increased risk of alcoholism — genetics is one of them.

Another is drinking at an early age. In fact, according to a study, those who drink before age 15 are five times more likely to have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This risk is higher in females than in males, according to that 2019 study.

Mental health conditions and a history of trauma also increase the risk of AUD.

But, genetics and a family history of alcohol problems have been proven to increase one’s risk of AUD. Heritability accounts for a 60 percent risk of AUD, with the risk being influence on a combination of genes and environment.

“I am alive,” she said. “So that is positive, and I am thankful to God that he loved me enough to save me. Somedays you can look at all the bad stuff and forget to be thankful.”

Meeting Schedule

To add or update any meetings, people may call Mark Barton at 417766-5449.

Tuesday

• Celebrate Recovery Cassville at the First Baptist Church in the loft. Meal is served at 5:45 p.m. and large group is at 6:30 p.m., childcare is provided nursery to 6th grade. People may contact Mark Barton at 417-766-5449.

Wednesday

• Shell Knob – Celebrate Recovery at the Viola Victory Church at 29604 State Hwy., 39. Meal starts at 5 p.m., meeting starts at 5:45 p.m. Childcare is provided For more information call Jessica at 417-239-9001.

• Seligman Celebrate Recovery at Mozark Fellowship at 28277 Frisco Street in Seligman. Meal is at 6 p.m. and meeting starts at 70 p.m. For more information call Loni at 417-827-2737.

• AA meeting, noon to 1 p.m. at 1308 Harold Street in Cassville.

Thursday

• Monett Celebrate Recovery 6-9 p.m. at the New Site Baptist Church at 1925 Farm Road 1060 in Monett. Meal at 6 p.m. Childcare and nursery up to 5th grade. The Landing for 6th to 12th grade. For more information, people can reach Allan at 417-461-6802.

• AA meeting, 8-9 p.m. at 1308 Harold Street in Cassville.

Friday

• NA meetings from 6-7 p.m. at 303 East 11th Street in Cassville. For more information people can call Sarah at 417-846-7045.

Saturday

• SMART meetings from 10-11 a.m. at 208 West 8th Street in Cassville. Alliance counseling. For more information people may call Loni at 417827-2737.

Sunday

• NA meetings from 6-7 p.m. at 303 East 11th Street in Cassville. For more information people can call Mike at 417-846-7866.