Gathering was uplifting and inspiring

Hundreds of people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction attended an inspiring event in Renfrewshire, celebrating their achievements with friends and family.

- EMYLIE HOWIE

Around 300 people came together at Abbeycare's annual Recovery Gathering last Sunday at the Glynhill Hotel and Spa in Renfrew, during National Recovery Month.

The event was organised and hosted by Abbeycare, which runs a residential drug and alcohol addiction recovery clinic in Erskine.

The idea behind the gathering was to bring together Abbeycare's community of existing and former clients and their families, making the process of recovery more visible.

This year's event was held less than a fortnight after official figures showed that 1,017 people in Scotland died as a result of drug use in 2024; 46 of those in Renfrewshire.

The keynote speech was delivered by Dr David Best, professor of addiction recovery at Leeds Trinity University, with another address given by Darren McGarvey, the author, broadcaster, musician and former Abbeycare client.