A man who struggled with a decade-long hero!n add!ction is now on a journey of redemption, aiming to climb one of the world’s tallest mountains. Scott Stevenson from Castle Vale started using drugs at 13, eventually developing a severe add!ction.
His twenties were marked by heavy hero!n and crack coca!ne use. In his darkest moments, Scott resorted to theft and dumpster diving to support his habit. His add!ction led to losing contact with his three-year-old son, being shunned by family and friends, and almost dying from an overdose.
Now 36, Scott has been sober for five years and is working to reconnect with his two-year-old daughter. With the support of a Birmingham-based charity, he overcame his add!ction and now seeks to raise awareness about the importance of recovery services in the community.
Scott’s substance abuse began with cannabis at 13, escalating to a party lifestyle during his university years. “It started with milder substances, but by 16, I was experimenting with ecstasy and LSD,” he told BirminghamLive.
At 21, despite his earlier reluctance, Scott tried hero!n and subsequently battled a decade-long addiction that dominated his life.
“I resorted to petty theft and scavenging from garbage to sustain my addiction. My mental state was in ruins; I was engulfed in darkness. I witnessed many friends succumb to overdoses, and I, too, experienced an overdose, but fortunately, the paramedics revived me. Despite this ordeal, it didn’t deter me; my drug addiction continued for years.”
Scott initially sought help from a rehabilitation center in 2016 but relapsed shortly afterward. His addiction had already caused him to lose touch with his three-year-old son.
In 2019, he turned to the Right Start rehab service in Moseley, where he received support from a dedicated worker and joined a Narcotics Anonymous program. Now, five years into his sobriety, Scott is preparing to tackle the Swiss Alps as part of the Climbing Out charity initiative.
“I’m incredibly thankful for finding a way out of that destructive lifestyle,” Scott expressed. “Overcoming the addiction was incredibly challenging, but I’m immensely proud to have remained sober for five years. I’ve since welcomed a daughter into my life and secured a full-time job. I’ve also accomplished remarkable feats like participating in the Great Birmingham Run, scaling Ben Nevis, and I’m set to run the Great North Run later this year.
“I’m also embarking on a nine-day hike through the Alps with a group of individuals who have all experienced trauma. It’s going to be an incredible journey – ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined any of this.
“When my dealer would call and I’d rush to get the drugs, I’d be gasping for air – now I’m scaling mountains.”
Scott, an avid Villa supporter, has urged the government to allocate more funds for drug and alcohol recovery services amid a rising tide of addiction across the country. He aims to inspire others struggling with addiction by sharing his personal journey.
“I hope my story offers hope to those battling addiction, showing that it’s possible to escape that life,” he said. “Now with a daughter and a job, I’m working to make up for lost time with my son.
“During my darkest days, I couldn’t see a way out. There are people ready to help, but you must genuinely want to change.
“At my lowest point, someone told me, ‘the sea isn’t always rough’—advice that has stayed with me for years. If you’re not changing, you’re choosing it—the only failure is when you stop trying.”