DJ Course Offers Sobering Beats for Recovery

A new DJ course designed for individuals in recovery from addiction is making a significant impact in Bristol. The six-week program, hosted at the sober bar Arc Bristol, focuses on fostering connections and community, elements participants describe as essential for their recovery journey. This initiative offers a safe space for individuals to re-engage with music, a powerful outlet that can be both uplifting and healing.

The course was initiated by the Bristol Drugs Project and led by DJ Milly on Air. The idea emerged in response to the growing number of sober spaces available in the city. For participants like Alex Mac, the course has been a "fantastic" addition to his recovery, inspiring him to pursue music creation again and build connections through shared musical interests.

Volunteers from Bristol Drugs Project's Creative Communities group and Horizons, Bristol's drug and alcohol partnership, support the scheme. The program aims to provide a new blueprint for engagement, offering an alternative to environments that might trigger substance use. Creative Communities drugs worker Lizzie Mulholland noted the strong community formed by participants, highlighting that the "opposite of addiction is connection."

DJ Milly, who herself has been in recovery for approximately 10 years, emphasized the importance of incorporating fun and joy into life post-recovery. The high demand for the course, with more applicants than available spots, indicates a significant need for such creative and supportive programs, suggesting future courses are likely.