Drug addict who ate from bin for 10 years had life changed by 'six words of wisdom'

A former drug addict who spent ten years of his life hooked on heroin has turned his life around - and is preparing to climb one of the world’s tallest mountains. Scott Stevenson, from Castle Vale, first took drugs at the age of 13 spiralling from there into addiction.

He spent his twenties in the grip heroin and crack cocaine. At his lowest ebb, Scott recalls how he would shoplift and ‘eat out of bins’ to support his habit. Drug addiction led to Scott losing contact with his three-year-old son, being disowned by family and friends - and almost cost him his life after an overdose.

But the 36-year-old is now five years sober and working to ‘make up for lost time’ with his two-year-old daughter. Scott, who was supported by a local charity in Birmingham to get clean, wants to use his story to highlight the importance of drug and alcohol recovery services to local communities.

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Scott first started smoking cannabis at the age of 13 and quickly became obsessed with ‘partying’ as a student. “It started with soft stuff - but by 16 I was taking ecstasy and LSD,” he told BirminghamLive.

“When I was 21 I tried heroin, even though I always told myself I’d never touch it. I was a heroin addict for ten years - the obsession took over my life.

“I was committing petty crimes like shoplifting and eating from bins to support my habit. My mental health was terrible - I was in a really dark place.

“I lost a lot of friends through overdoses - I had one myself but luckily the paramedics were able to save me. It was horrible but it didn’t stop me, I was still addicted to drugs and carried on for years.”

Scott first referred himself to rehab in 2016 but relapsed just months later. He said his drug habit led to him losing contact with his son, who was just three-years-old at the time.

In 2019, Scott turned to the rehab service Right Start, in Moseley, for support, who assigned him a key worker and put him on a Narcotics Anonymous programme. Five years later, Scott is gearing up to climb the Swiss Alps as part of the charity Climbing Out’s programme.

“I’m really grateful that I found a way out of that lifestyle,” he said. “Breaking the cycle was really tough but I’m so proud to be five years sober now.

“I’ve now got a daughter and a full-time job. I’ve also done some amazing things like the Great Birmingham Run, climbed Ben Nevis and I’m running the Great North Run later this year.

“I’m also hiking the alps over nine days later this year with a big group of people who’ve all gone through some form of trauma. It’s going to be amazing - ten years ago I wouldn’t have thought any of this would be possible.

“When my dealer used to phone me and I’d have to run to pick up the drugs, I’d be panting like a dog - now I’m climbing mountains.”

Scott, an avid Villa fan, has urged the government to better fund drug and alcohol recovery services saying ‘addiction is on the rise’ across the country. He wants to inspire others struggling with any kind of addiction with his story.

“I hope my story gives hope to people out there who are struggling with addiction that you don’t have to stay trapped in that lifestyle,” he said. “I’ve got a daughter now and I’m working to make up for lost time that I missed out on with my son.

“When I was trapped in addiction, I didn’t see a way out. There are people out there who can help, but you’ve really got to want to change.

“When I was at my worst, I remember someone telling me ‘it’s not rough at sea forever’ - and that bit of wisdom has stayed with me for years. If you’re not changing it, you’re choosing it - the only time you fail is when you stop trying.”

You can donate to Scott's mountain climb fundraiser here. If you're struggling with drug addiction, you can call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600