CHOICE? is a short film from Derbyshire that looks at addiction, stigma and recovery through a personal and direct story. Created by Rhubarb Farm and shared through The Recovery Space, the film focuses on the hidden and often misunderstood experience of alcohol dependence, including the fear, shame and isolation that can surround it. Growing Recovery in Derbyshire describes the film as Ben Sofield’s personal portrayal of waking up in alcohol withdrawal, including the onset of delirium tremens symptoms.

The film was written by and stars Ben Sofield, Rhubarb Farm’s Recovery Lead. According to Rhubarb Farm’s fundraising campaign, Ben first came to the farm as a volunteer while struggling with substance use, and later became involved in leading recovery work there. This gives the film a lived experience foundation, rather than presenting addiction from the outside.

The main message of CHOICE? is that addiction should not be treated as a moral failure. The film asks viewers to look at how stigma itself becomes part of the problem, making people feel judged, shamed and isolated, and making it harder to seek support. DS Daily described the film as a short work challenging the damaging stigma faced by people living with addiction, taking viewers into the isolating world of alcohol dependence.

The film premiered at Rhubarb Farm in Langwith on 12 May 2025 and was then released on YouTube the same evening. It was also planned for use beyond the first screening, including at The Hope Festival 2025, in GP surgeries, community events, local drug and alcohol services, and online spaces. In that sense, CHOICE? is not only a film, but also an awareness tool, using storytelling to open a more honest conversation about addiction, recovery and the need to remove barriers to help.

Fidn more from Rhubarb Farm (UK, 2025)