10 years in recovery: Pete’s story

"More than 10 years ago, my life looked very different. I was struggling with my mental health, alcohol addiction and an undiagnosed ADHD condition. I felt disconnected from the people around me, struggled to understand myself and found it increasingly difficult to see a way forward.

Today, I’m more than 10 years sober. I work as a Senior Peer Educator at Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust and I’ve found a new passion in running.

In 2027, I’ll take on the London Marathon as part of CNWL NHS Health Charity’s team, aiming to raise £2,500 to support patients, staff and communities. For me, the marathon is about much more than running 26.2 miles. It represents how far I’ve come."

Struggling to understand myself

"My mental health difficulties developed over several years and were influenced by different experiences. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 21, which was an important step in better understanding myself.

Before my diagnosis, I struggled to understand why some things seemed more difficult for me than they did for other people. I experienced misdiagnoses and periods where my anxiety and other difficulties weren’t fully understood or supported.

Swimming had been an important part of my life when I was younger. I was a successful swimmer, but behind that success I experienced high levels of anxiety. When a shoulder injury forced me to stop swimming at 14, I lost something that had provided achievement, structure and a physical outlet."

When alcohol became a way of coping

"At first, alcohol provided an escape. It made me feel good and helped numb how I was feeling. But over eight years, drinking became an addiction.

At my lowest point, I was living alone in Reading, drinking heavily and struggling to see a way forward. I had lost contact with friends, my health was suffering and my employment was at risk.

Eventually, I knew something had to change. The pain of continuing drinking was worse than the pain of getting sober and facing life on life’s terms. I became sick of being sick and tired."

Finding hope in recovery

"I initially sought support from a local drug and alcohol service but continued to relapse and found that my situation was getting worse.

Then I met Kev, my first sponsor, at a 12-step fellowship meeting in Reading. For me, meeting Kev was a turning point.

By sharing his own experience, Kev showed me that recovery was possible. For the first time, I could identify with someone who had experienced similar difficulties and could see a future that included sobriety. I didn’t feel so alone.

Recovery has been a long-term process of rebuilding my life, finding healthier ways of coping and learning to focus on my strengths rather than defining myself by the difficulties I’ve experienced. Exercise, meditation, spirituality, meaningful relationships and having a sense of purpose have all become important parts of that journey."

Turning my experiences into something positive

"One of the most powerful parts of recovery has been being able to turn negatives into positives. Experiences that once caused significant difficulties in my life are now experiences I can draw upon to help other people.

Today, I work at CNWL as a Senior Peer Educator, using my lived experience alongside my education and professional knowledge to contribute to the development of people working in mental health services.

For me, this has given some of the more difficult parts of my past a different meaning. I can’t change those experiences, but I can decide what I do with them now."

Taking on the London Marathon

"After swimming caused problems with my shoulders, I eventually discovered running. Since then, I’ve progressed from shorter distances to completing 10Ks, a half marathon and a 33km trail run.

Now, I’m taking on my biggest challenge yet: the London Marathon. I only started running seriously in 2026, so a marathon felt like a suitably ridiculous next step.

Running has become much more than exercise for me. It gives me structure, purpose and a positive challenge, while helping me manage my wellbeing, build confidence and focus my energy constructively.

A lot of the meaningful change in my life hasn’t happened through one huge event. It’s happened through repeatedly making small positive choices over a long period."

Running for something bigger

"When I eventually stand on the London Marathon start line, I’ll be carrying more than my race number. I’ll be representing CNWL NHS Health Charity, which is personally important to me through both my work and my own experience.

I hope the money I raise will help provide additional opportunities, resources and experiences that can make a meaningful difference to people using CNWL services.

For me, the finish line will be important. But the journey to get there means even more."

Support Pete’s London Marathon journey

Pete is aiming to raise £2,500 for CNWL NHS Health Charity, helping to fund opportunities, resources and experiences that make a difference to patients, staff and communities.

Donate to Pete’s marathon fundraiser

Pete's Run Club

As part of his training for the London Marathon, Pete has started his own running club, meeting every Monday at 7pm for a casual 5K around Hyde Park.

Everyone is welcome to join. Please contact peter.Wasielewski@nhs.net for more information.