RECOVERY
RISING TOGETHER
the snowy ridges of Toubkal in Morocco to our annual New Year’ s Day tradition on Snowdon. We’ ve climbed through storms, fatigue, setbacks and fear – and each time, we’ ve climbed together.
This year, we had planned to summit Mount Kazbegi in Georgia. When that became unworkable, we didn’ t want to lose momentum so we rerouted to Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey. At 5,137 metres, it’ s the highest peak we’ ve attempted – and by far the most punishing.
Overcoming addiction can feel like having a mountain to climb. Nicky Dwyer, however, has been leading groups of people in recovery as they ascend real peaks across the globe – something that provides meaning, connection, self-belief and pride
For those of us in recovery, climbing mountains has become more than a physical adventure – it’ s a way of life. It reflects our journey – a tough, uncertain, painful climb that rewards perseverance with hope, healing, and pride.
In 2020 I brought together the first group under what started as a small team climbing Snowdon, and has since grown into a strong, connected recovery network spanning the UK. Every year, our numbers increase. People return, and new people come along. We share experiences, build each other up, and keep in contact between climbs. We’ ve become more than just a group – we’ ve become a support system.
Over the past few years, we’ ve tackled iconic peaks from Pen y Fan to Mount Musala, and from
AIMING HIGH Climbing above 4,000 metres brings a new level of difficulty. Even without addiction in the story, high-altitude trekking is no small feat. The oxygen levels are far lower than at sea level, and the effects on the body are immediate and harsh – pounding headaches, dizziness, disturbed sleep, breathlessness, and all that’ s without any exertion. Then you add the freezing temperatures, fatigue, and lack of comfort and it’ s a real shock to the system.
For people in recovery, however, it’ s even more personal. Our bodies have been through trauma. For many of us, it’ s taken years to feel strong again, and even then mental resilience can feel fragile. But what mountains do is strip everything back. No distractions, no hiding. Just you, your mind, your body, and a very big climb ahead. That’ s where the power of the group kicks in.
WHY WE CLIMB We don’ t do this to chase medals or test our toughness. We do it to connect. These climbs create a space where people in recovery can challenge themselves and build confidence – but also talk, decompress, and belong. As we ascend, step by step, it mirrors our personal journeys. There are moments you want to quit. But you look to your side, and someone’ s still climbing next to you. That’ s what recovery feels like at its best.
Mount Ararat was by far the most physically intense experience we’ ve faced. The thin air, the final summit push over ice and rock, and the biting wind made everything slow, painful,
24 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • OCTOBER 2025 WWW. DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS. COM