A RECOVERING addict whose life was a “living nightmare” is running a marathon to raise money for the charity that helped him to recover.

Gabriel Wood from Brighton started abusing alcohol and drugs from a “very young age.”

At his lowest point, he became homeless and would sleep in a tent in parks around Brighton and Hove, including Stanmer Park, East Brighton Park and Queens Park.

The Argus: Gabriel and his son KaydenGabriel and his son Kayden

The 43-year-old used several substances. However, he says he was at his worst when he was drinking.

Gabriel said: “Alcohol was the one that did the most damage to me, even though I went through every drug.

“I thought it was the safest option and I thought it wouldn’t affect me mentally in the way drugs do, but it really messed me up. I was suffering psychosis and I used to have fits.

“I bit the side of my tongue off, I used to hear voices telling me I should take my own life and I didn’t know what was real.

“I used to put my fingers in my ears to try and work out what voices were real. It was a real nightmare. An absolute living nightmare.”

He battled mental health and addictions through his twenties and his early thirties before “hitting rock-bottom” and entering a Brighton Housing Trust supported rehab centre for the first time in 2005.

Despite completing the programme of recovery and getting his own flat, Gabriel relapsed and even spent time in prison.

But the birth of his son Kayden was a “turning point” and made him determined to get his life back on track.

Gabriel has now been clean and sober for seven years and said rehab and running has helped him to turn his life around.

He has now set himself the ambitious target of completing this year’s Brighton Marathon on September 12 in under three hours in the hope of raising money for Brighton Housing Trust.

Gabi said: “I am a completely different person now, no longer crippled by anxiety and depression.

“Running has helped me get well and I am always grateful I am able to run.

“I now live a very different life, but I will never forget the support I received from Brighton Housing Trust when I needed it.

“It’s way beyond my dreams what I’m doing at the moment. I wake up in the morning and I just can’t believe how busy I am.

“I never used to do anything with my life and now I’ve got my son, I’ve got my flat and I even have a car now – it’s mad. I’ve passed my driving test which is unbelievable.”

To support Gabi’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gabi-wood2