A performance by a group of people recovering from substance abuse will take place in Dumbarton next week.

The show is organised by the charity Creative Change Collective, which operates ‘anonymous drama’ therapy programmes to assist individuals on their path to recovery.

The performance, taking place at Denny Civic Theatre on February 16 at 7pm, will be enacted by members of the Recovering Voices group in West Dunbartonshire.

The £5 ticket event will feature a range of scripted readings that have all been created by participants.

Glasgow Times: The performance is taking place at Denny Civic Theatre on February 16 at 7 pm

Ami Laurie, a former rehab patient for alcohol addiction and currently a member of the delivery team at Creative Change Collective, said: "For me, the anonymous drama programme was a confidence booster.

“I was initially really reluctant, but before you knew it, everyone had convinced me to take part and the reward I got from that was unbelievable.

“A lot of the time it can be similar-minded people – you don’t know if they’re in recovery or in the criminal justice system, but you all get a sense of achievement in being able to contribute.

"I’ve met so many amazing people. When people first hear about it they think: ‘No way, I don’t do drama, it sounds stupid’.

"But when they start to do the sessions they realise it’s about having fun and discussing topics that would normally be challenging but in an anonymous and safe way. It’s a really good escape.”

The Recovering Voices project are currently run in West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow, and North Ayrshire, open to anyone in the community-based or residential recovery.

The initiatives are financially supported by the Scottish Government through the Corra Foundation.

Through the ‘anonymous drama’ model, participants can express themselves in a secure environment that reduces emotional triggers.

Glasgow Times: The £5 ticket event will feature a range of scripted readings that have all been created by

An evaluation by the University of Glasgow discovered that the programme has had clear positive impacts on participants, enhancing confidence, access to work, education and volunteering opportunities, and developing routine and purpose, which all support in preventing substance misuse.

Mark MacNicol, project director at Creative Change Collective, said: “I like to describe the anonymous drama model as being like drama therapy for people who usually have no interest in drama or therapy.

Glasgow Times: The Recovering Voices project is run in West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow, and North

“It is an innovative and creative way to support people in recovery, help build confidence and community connections and find a way to express and talk about their feelings and experiences."

The approach provides an opportunity for people to discuss their experiences in a safe and supportive environment, allowing them to work through traumatic experiences, while fostering a sense of achievement, routine and purpose.

Tickets can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/mrynsbju.