A Poland grad's story from addiction to recovery
Many community members want to hear success stories about people who are beating addiction in the Valley.
Many community members want to hear success stories about people who are beating addiction in the valley.
21 News covered an inspirational story about a young man who made it to the 2014 NFL draft and training camp with the New Orleans Saints, but addiction robbed him of his dream.
After a downward spiral that cost the Poland man everything, he found his way back to a sober life.
21 News discovered how one man found the strength to finally say no to drugs
For as long as Luke Wollet can remember he was always 'IN THE GAME.'
The 2010 Poland graduate was a star football player at Kent State, but winning came with a price.
Luke Wollet, now two years sober, told 21 News, "I ended up getting hurt a few different times at Kent State and kind of started my venture into pain medication."
Injuries resulted in surgery and Luke said his initial prescription for pain medication was not an issue, but the second prescription was.
Wollet continued, "My senior year, when I tore my MCL, I started taking my pain medication, but for the first time in my life I really started experiencing depression and anxiety, and what the pain medication did for those was greater than what it did for my physical pain."
A high dose of the pain medication became similar to heroin, and that is just what Luke started to use. He said he had high anxiety over the timing of his injuries.
"Absolutely, it's a 16-year dream that you have as a little kid, is to play in the NFL, so when that's threatened, it's a whole different ballgame," said Wollet.
Luke was not drafted in 2014, but he was picked to participate in the New Orleans Saints training camp. However, that was just the start of his downward spiral.
The camp did not go well, and Luke ended up going from job to job, with no real place to call home.
Harry Wollet, Luke's father, told 21 News, "At this junction, I knew what the issues were and I said I want my son back, and I put the brochures in front of him and said, Luke these people can help you, and he said, I'm ready."
Clean now for two years, Luke is living in Florida and working for Banyan Treatment Center's Business Development Team.
His advice for others is don't be ashamed to ask for help.
"People are going to continue to die until we change the narrative," Wollet said.
