A former addict who lived on the streets for almost two decades has told how a drama therapy programme saved his life.

David Clark struggled with addiction to heroin, cocaine and Valium for 25 years before entering residential rehab with Turning Point Scotland for six months in February this year.

Through the programme, he was referred to the Creative Change Collective’s Recovering Voices group, which supports people with drug and alcohol issues and helps keep them in recovery.

It is aimed at those with no prior interest in drama or therapy and uses an ‘anonymous’ element which allows participants to express themselves freely.

The group will perform a variety-style script reading on stage at Glasgow’s Oran Mor on Friday, August 11, with the show addressing issues around the stigma of addiction and participants’ shared experiences.

David, who lives in Whiteinch, said Recovering Voices has changed his life after he spent 19 years sleeping rough in alleyways and phone boxes in Glasgow city centre.

Clydebank Post: David Clark said the group has saved his life (Image: Creative Change Collective)David Clark said the group has saved his life (Image: Creative Change Collective) (Image: Creative Change Collective)

He said: “This programme has kept me on the straight and narrow and stopped me thinking about going back to using drugs.

“For me personally, it has saved my life, when you consider where I came from to where I am now.

“It raises my spirits and it’s good to see the happiness it gives others in the group too.

“I can’t wait until we all perform together at Oran Mor – everyone is really looking forward to it.”

We previously told how Creative Change Collective, which brings together professionals from the creative industries to affect positive change, was awarded £400,000 from the Scottish Government to expand its projects and community groups across Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire.

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The charity specialises in addressing social challenges to help bring positive change in people’s lives through creative processes associated with film, theatre and performance.

Mark MacNicol, Creative Change Collective project director, said: “Everyone involved in Creative Change Collective and Recovering Voices is extremely proud of David and all the participants for their incredible achievements.

“We hope their stories will inspire others in the recovery community to sign up to join our weekly sessions, which are held in Glasgow and around the west of Scotland.

“The performance at Oran Mor will be followed by a Q&A, during which the participants will share insights from their shared experience, and we would encourage anyone with an interest to attend.”

Tickets for the Oran Mor show are free and can be booked here.