DJ starts sober nights to challenge 'stigma'

A DJ and recovered alcoholic has launched sober nights to challenge "stigma associated with not drinking".

Tony Modlen, 55, from Easton, Bristol, wants to "recreate the pub experience" after giving up alcohol 11 months ago when he "hit rock bottom" and was drinking a "bottle and a half of brandy a day".

"We are conditioned to believe we need to have a drink to socialise, but I want to change that," Mr Modlen said.

He will be DJing at the event, called Re-connection, taking place on Saturday at Lost Horizon in St Jude's.

Mr Modlen, who goes by the DJ name Tony Montana, told BBC Radio Bristol: "I kind of realised it was bad during the end of 2020.

"You don't see it coming until it's there, it's insidious, it creeps up on you."

He began recovery after a friend suggested the DHI (Developing Health and Independence) recovery programme in Bristol.

Now 11 months sober, Mr Modlen said he misses the "social side of drinking" and wanted to start an event for sober people to "enjoy themselves and have fun".

"What I'm trying to do is recreate the social life that I miss of going to the pub," he added.

Mr Modlen said he now "really enjoys" DJing sober.

"When I first gave up drinking I would literally run down there and do my thing, and run home.

"Now I can stay all night, I'm as involved as I ever was but I'm more present now because I'm aware of what's going on.

"That feeling is priceless, I wish I could bottle that and give it to people instead of a drink," he said.

Mr Modlen hopes to put on more events if this Saturday is a success.

"We hope to do one every four months.

"It would be lovely to go into different venues and create a social scene, but I'm really encouraged by how many people are not in recovery who have got behind this.

"I think there's definitely a growing trend towards sober spaces," he said.

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