Documentaries about alcoholism - dangerous triggers or informative? This movie puts a face to the millions of families and individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. For viewers, films about drug and alcohol addiction can effectively change the narrative on everyday injustices, society’s view and treatment of substance abuse, the criminal justice system, and overall stigmas. The act involves interceding in the life or behavior of a person, in the hopes of changing their behavior or the outcomes of the situation. This Academy Award-nominated Netflix documentary follows three women — a fire chief, a judge and a street missionary — fighting on the front lines of the heroin epidemic in Huntington, West Virginia. With such a significant reach, it makes sense that alcoholism and alcohol abuse are prevalent themes in the American film and documentary culture. Learning about addiction can certainly help you get on the path of addiction recovery. This is the story of how Port of Call helped him to find an alcohol … After something really, really bad happens (no spoilers here! 20:25. There have been many movies made over the decades about all kinds of things, including substance abuse, addiction, and even recovery. These are some of the best addiction documentaries on Hulu to date. The film shows how millions of individuals are incarcerated each year due to the disease of addiction. This particular documentary raises the question of whether or not the War on Drugs is a viable place to spend resources, or if it’s lacking in addressing the underlying causes of ongoing addiction. Best Drug Addiction & Substance Abuse Documentaries to Show Young Adults. Over a period of time, the individuals are followed, leading up to what is widely known in recovery as an intervention. What’s worse, the stigmas that surround substance abuse often prevent thousands of American’s from seeking the recovery treatment they need and deserve. Those of us here who are facing our demons and actively trying to change our ways should witness the plights of the 4 tragic souls in this film. My Name is Bill W. discloses the origin of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization formed in 1935 in the small town of Akron, Ohio. The war on drugs doesn't work. This gritty drama depicts a different version of the endless cycle of alcohol and drug addiction. Generally speaking, if you are a habitual drinker, emotions like fear or anxiety are likely to make you want to drink more. She explores the power in unity and uses it as a tool to help other families suffering the same mental health issues. This is a documentary that explains all about the … As a result of the film, there is a full-fledged effort to gather Americans together to change drug laws that incarcerate people battling with addiction. These are all questions that many of us who are habitual drinkers often ask ourselves, and these documentaries are full of possible answers. Family and friends often harbor a great deal of resentment, misunderstand, and may even fuel continued substance use. As many are aware, addiction impacts everyone differently and no two stories are the same. Students in this documentary tell chilling tales of overdoses, comas, and loss of control. The documentary reveals the normal face of alcohol … The top documentaries on substance abuse and addiction include: Dr. Feelgood: Dr. Feelgood tells the story of Dr. William Hurwitz, a doctor in Northern Virginia who served almost five years in prison for overprescribing pain medications. Its viewpoint is broader and encompasses the issues as it concerns the War on Drugs. Required fields are marked *. Wine o’Clock from Australia, Risky Drinking from the United States, and Drinking Yourself to Death made in the UK, all do a terrific job of profiling different levels of what is often called alcohol-use-disorder. The show also works with substance abuse treatment centers across the country and offers resources for each individual documented throughout the show. Learn how your comment data is processed. Trigger Warning: films and documentaries about addiction and can be hard to process as they shed light on the harsh realities and events that often take place due to ongoing drug abuse. In this particular case, family members, friends, and co-workers intervene on behalf of their loved one who is lost in the disease of addiction. An Oscar-nominated short film follows the lives of three women — a fire chief, a judge, and a street missionary. The addiction documentary also explores the U.S. federal government’s criminal approach to what experts say is actually a major health and wellness concern. Approximately five overdoses occur in Huntington each day. He rents a small apartment and “goes straight,” as he calls it. The film depicts the most difficult thing we deal with during the early days of recovery: emotions and, ultimately, underlying mental health issues. Download the free app HERE for connection and support when you need it. This documentary about addiction takes an insightful look at what it means to see, firsthand, the realities of heroin addiction. Even though you might be fine when the movie starts, you may find yourself experiencing cravings as the movie progresses. Millions of people around the globe are now familiar with a 12-step plan. If you’ve ever done a stint in rehab, you will definitely relate to this movie. He is happy to live a simple life after years of ripping and running like a dope fiend. The film’s website states: “We are moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters – all bringing the power and proof of recovery to our communities. Produced by HBO Documentary Films and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of the National Institutes of Health, Risky Drinking is a no-holds-barred look at a national epidemic through the intimate stories of four people … This non-discriminatory documentary about addiction is a realistic depiction of what happens to an individual when they abuse drugs and alcohol. If you’re thinking about going into a rehabilitation facility, this movie does a good job of showing the realities of the first 28 days. You can find some of our posts on HuffPost. If You're Drinking too Much too Often Rethink the Drink Talk to Us. It was received well by the public and, today, has over 300 episodes spanning 21 seasons. Another woman, 26, was convinced she didn’t have a problem with alcohol butShe died in hospital after vomiting blood, So sad, tragic yet also I think it’s bravethese people shared their storiesThough they couldn’t be savedThey left a kind of legacy. ... and recipients of scholarships—all are susceptible to peer pressure and the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. However, it is a very realistic perspective of how the disease of addiction can cause family rifts and exacerbate the issues as they surround substance misuse. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Perhaps you’re interested in watching addiction documentaries because you’re a substance abuse professional and you’d like to learn more about addiction. It’s a true story, it’s based on the lead character’s autobiography, and it’s about heroin addiction (which is one of the hardest addictions to kick). A middle aged woman, young mother, struggling sonAll lives blighted or destroyed byAlcoholEvery one, If we learn anything from this filmThis messageIt’s that alcohol killsAnd shouldn’t be messed with, Let’s destroy this “it can’t happen to me” mythIt might be comforting to thinkBut it’s poison in your drinkThat’s what alcohol REALLY is, It’s not a film of sociable merriment and mistakesShowing drinking as sophisticatedIt depicts what alcohol really takesThe reality of people in hospital medicatedStill craving booze when they’ve been told they will loseIt’s a film of harrowing, heartwrenching scenesA gritty documentary of broken lives and dreams, To anyone feeling upset, ashamed, aloneYou really aren’t on your own you knowPlease don’t feel that wayLots of people have been in the same boatSome are where you are today, Sat where you are sittingTheir fists tightly clenchedTheir teeth they are grittingTheir hearts pretty wrenched, A self hatred rain cloudGreyness all aroundBut really though sadThey deserve to feel proud, They have the courage and guts neededTo fight their alcohol voiceTo do the workAnd find they do have a choice, That inner voice that tells you that you can’t do thisIs just Beer Boy or the Wine WitchDon’t trust them they lieHe’s just a thugAnd she’s just a bitch . 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