Gareth Jones, from Aberdare, lost years of his life to addiction before being arrested at 24. Now 36, he is sharing his story as the Mental Health Wanderer to help others.
Gareth first tried cannabis at 14, introduced by people who lived nearby. One drug led to another, and by 16 he was taking drugs routinely. He became addicted to amphetamines and also used crack cocaine and cannabis often, spending around a decade caught in addiction.
A 'domino effect' from age 14
Gareth describes his addiction as a "domino effect." The death of his grandfather, who had been a father figure and role model, was the point when years of difficulties came to a head. He describes the height of his addiction as "confusing" and "lonely," saying the drugs temporarily gave him an escape.
Inside the family home, he was exposed to the effects of his stepfather's alcoholism, something that affected him from a young age. Gareth says there was not enough support available for his stepfather at the time.
"I was taking drugs to forget about the past, to forget about all my troubles," he says. But the comedowns were among the hardest parts of his addiction. He spent years attempting to stop, repeatedly managing several days without drugs before returning to his dealer. He described it as his "three-day curse," when the drugs began leaving his system and cravings became difficult to resist.
Arrest and army as a turning point
In 2014, when he was 24, he was arrested following an incident that resulted in criminal damage charges. He describes the seriousness of the police arrest as the wake-up call he needed. Becoming a father was another major motivation—his first daughter was born in 2015, and her arrival made him realise he needed to change.
Gareth had always wanted to join the army, partly because of his grandfather's military background. His wife Judith supported him throughout his recovery. When he was accepted in 2016, he described it as receiving a "golden ticket" and a second chance. He describes the army's initial training as being "almost like a rehab" for him. By the time he completed his initial 14-week training, he felt he had "become a completely different person."
Ultra-marathons and the Mental Health Wanderer
His first major ultra challenge came in 2021 when he ran 200 miles from north Wales back to Aberdare in four days. It became the beginning of the Mental Health Wanderer, a platform through which he shares his experiences. "Every time I do these long races it gives me a chance to revisit everything that's gone on in my life," he said.
He now has tattoos representing the ultra-marathons he has completed, marking the challenges he has overcome. "If I got through that I can get through this," he said. His message to anyone struggling with addiction is simple: "Just remember you are worth it. When you feel like giving up that's the perfect chance to become unstoppable."
In 2027, Gareth plans to run 250km in the Arctic in February, the Arizona Monster (300 miles) in March, and the Wrath Ultrathon in the Scottish Highlands in May. He credits the long-distance runs with playing an important role in his recovery.
