A former spice addict, who got hooked aged just 15, is now a triathlete whose charity helps dozens of others recover from substance abuse through getting fit.
Connor Shannon became addicted to the notorious synthetic cannabis and his life spiralled into decline.
Spice was on sale in shops before it was made illegal in 2016.
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Over ten years his efforts to quit failed and he was using amphetamines and cannabis.
When he was 25 he hit rock bottom fearing he would either die or end up in prison.
But everything changed after he watched a running video which inspired him to take part in a local Parkrun as reported by Need To Know.
Now 29, Connor, of Barnstable, Devon has become a marathon runner and triathlete and founded charity, Addicts to Athletes, which helps dozens of others to recover from substance abuse through getting fit.
“About four years ago my mental health was at its worst,” he said.
“I was in that experimental stage as a teenager and it just completely took control.
“My body would wake itself up in the night and if I didn’t have some Spice I’d go into withdrawal and be violently sick.
“I had bad thoughts, bad feelings – I knew something had to change.
“I was looking online and randomly came across some running videos.
“I was stuck in a bedsit and seeing these people enjoying the running I thought I’d try it even though I had no training shoes.
“I wore my normal shoes and went for a run and it was amazing.
“It transformed my life – I don’t recognise the person I was.
“I’ve just done a marathon, I have a full time job and am running the Addicts to Athletes charity too.
“It helps my life and others too.
“My life has completely turned 180 degrees.”
And he says he was useless at running as a youngster.
“We did cross country in Year 7 at school and I gave up and went back to the start I was so bad,” he said.
“I think going through addiction has now given me resilience to do longer runs.
“Beating addiction is the hardest thing you can do.
“What’s another hour of running when you’ve spent ten years stuck in addiction.”
Connor started to share his experience of recovery online and the comments he received prompted him to set up the non-profit organisation Addicts to Athletes.
He works with other team leaders to help around 40 people fighting addiction through running, cycling and hiking groups and also helps others around the country in online sessions.
He successfully applied for a £2,000 grant from Devon Community Foundation, which enabled him to get branded sports kit for members and volunteers and he has been invited by Barnstaple Town Council to take part in events at the Jobcentre and the library.
He added: “It’s great to see their progression as they come off the substances and find the freedom of fitness.
“Addiction doesn’t discriminate.
“You can get it in every area, at every age, in every race.
“I’ve seen the harmful effects it has but you can only help people as best you can.
“One person not using any more is a success.”
He added that his goal was to have run and cycle leaders in different cities around the UK and to expand Addicts to Athletes.
Drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales have risen for the 11th consecutive year to the highest number since records began in 1993.
Data from the Office for National Statistics found there were 5,448 deaths related to drug poisoning registered in England and Wales in 2023.
It also showed nearly half of those involved an opiate 2,551 deaths, while 1,118 deaths involved cocaine, which is 30.5% more than 2022.
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