N.S. comedian tackles personal stories of addiction, recovery in documentary

N.S. comedian Peter Anthony looks at addiction and recovery in a new documentary series.

Peter Anthony is known for telling jokes onstage, but his latest project sees him move behind the camera to tell personal stories of addiction and recovery.

Anthony, who is originally from Pictou, N.S., is the director, writer and producer of “Recovery Road,” a documentary series exploring the lives of Nova Scotians who have battled addiction and made it to the other side.

“The idea was to bring conversations that happened in the shadows about addiction and recovery, and shine a light on them,” Anthony told CTV News Atlantic’s Katie Kelly.

Anthony, who is nearly five years sober, took a personal interest in the subject matter.

“As I’m interviewing my subjects, we’re connecting about what they went through and I related to them a lot based on my own experiences,” he said. “I believe we have a culture that encourages substance abuse – particularly alcohol – and I think it’s a massive problem.”

The documentary series focuses on themes of hope and how life on the other side of addiction can be transformative.

“Whether they’re affected by substance abuse themselves or know someone that is, the overall arc of this show is that you can change, people can change, and there is another chapter,” Anthony said. “For some reason, something inside me told me that this was the project that I was meant to make.

“If anyone out there is watching and feels that they need help, if you want to make a change, help is there for you if you’re willing to make that change.”

“Recovery Road” premieres on Bell FibeTV1 on Wednesday.

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