Addicts in recovery star in new play they created

A play performed by people who have struggled with addiction and are now in recovery is to take to the professional stage for the first time.

Wake Up Sammy, which has been written, directed and produced by people in recovery, will debut at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre later.

Created by community organisation the Detox Factor, the play follows the life of fictional character Sammy and his own challenges with addiction.

"Everyone in this play has lived through addiction and are living in recovery," said the show's director, Cara Cox.

Speaking during rehearsals, Cox described the recovery process as having "to get uncomfortable in order to get comfortable" and having discipline and structure.

"I, myself, lived experience, so I spent many years in addiction and many years out of addiction," she explained.

"Recovery isn't about stopping drinking and using, it's finding a new life of meaning and purpose and that can look really different to many people, it can be the gym, it can be horse riding.

"Through creative recovery we get a real opportunity to explore what else is available for people."

Paul O'Brian, a recovering alcoholic, said there had been some "really tough times".

Now three years sober, O'Brian is set to play the main role of Sammy in the play, which starts at 19:30 GMT on Thursday and Friday.

"I think I spent a lot of my life acting normal or trying to act normal so trying to act some other way... I'm better at it thought then i thought I was I suppose," he explained.

"Everyday I don't have a drink is a good day really.

"It starts with stopping the drink, but that's only part of recovery and the rest of it is just learning how to live."

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