A powerful new short film titled CHOICE is set to shake up the conversation around addiction and recovery.

Created by Rhubarb Farm in Langwith, a social enterprise supporting people in recovery, the film offers a raw, unfiltered look at the internal battles of substance use — highlighting how stigma, not just addiction, keeps people suffering in silence.

Funded in partnership with Inclusive Recovery Cities, public donations, and Derbyshire County Council, the film draws on real experiences from the mind of Ben Sofield, recovery lead at the project, who portrays his own journey through alcohol addiction on screen.

“It’s haunting. It’s real. And it’s time people understood that addiction is not a choice — but stigma is,” he said.

The film is designed as a tool for education, empathy, and empowerment, aiming to support recovery services, schools, universities, and public health campaigns.

It will be available on YouTube from 12th May at 6pm and will be launched at a public screening at the Hope Festival on 12th May at 5pm.

To make a donation to the project click here.