Metal detecting helped Gloucestershire man overcome addiction
A man who had a drink and drug addiction has stayed sober due to metal detecting.
Last updated 6th May 2025
A Gloucestershire man who suffered from a drink and drug addiction says metal detecting has helped him in his recovery.
Karl Monks started metal detecting nearly three years ago and created the Cotswold Metal Detecting Community to meet others who enjoyed the hobby.
He says metal detecting has helped his forget about the urges and that he’s replaced his addiction with the thrill of something more positive.
The group go out on 24 digs a year where farmers have allowed them onto their land to search for treasure, he has even found relics that date back to 43AD.
Karl told Greatest Hits Radio that metal detecting can help people with all sorts of things, not just addiction.
“You can change things if you want to change.
“8 years sober, 3 years off of all substances that’s an achievement in itself.
But if you can help other people even better because it is a great hobby.”
He added: “it helps people in so many different ways.
“Me, it helps me not go to the pub, not go get drugs from a drug dealer.
“It makes you focus on something else.”
Whilst digging the group also raise money for charity.
The detectors also raise money for charity while out on their digs.
Karl said: “We done a dig today, it was a win really because we raised almost £300 for charity, the farmer got nearly £300 and it got 28 people out the house.”
He added that it can sometimes be hard to find land to dig on and they find spaces based off of good faith and word of mouth through farmers that have allowed them on their land before.