Kathmandu, Jan. 18 -- In 2017, Wangda Sherpa was experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. One day, he woke up in the dark with severe pain and thought he was really dying. But he lived, and eighteen months later, he summitedMt Everest.

Wangda had been shooting up heroin, nitravet and all manner of pills on and off for over 20 years. He went to rehab five times. The journey of recovery began when he realised he could not affordthe addictionanymore.

"My brother couldn't see me in so much pain and misery, he gave me some money to buy drugs. I went to the dealer and it was he who recommended a rehabilitation centre," recalls Wangda. There were relapses, but he kept going back to seek treatment.

Unlikemany drug abusers, who are shunned by f...