Addiction is a disease that has been around for centuries. It is a disease that affects the lives of many people and their families. There are many different ways to represent addiction in movies, documentaries and podcasts. This guide will help you find the best addiction movies, documentaries, books and podcasts.
Movies
Dopesick (2021) is an American drama miniseries that follows two parents who are trying to help their son recover from addiction. Dopesick focuses on the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction across the U.S. and how families and individuals are affected by it. The film does not sugarcoat the realities of addiction and recovery, but it also shows hope for those who are struggling with addiction.
Beautiful Boy (2018) is a film based on the best-selling pair of memoirs that tell the story of a father whose son has been struggling with addiction for years. Beautiful Boy shows the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction. years. The father tries everything he can to help his son recover, but eventually, he has to face the reality that his son might not be able to get better on his own.
Clean and Sober (1988) is a movie about a hotshot real estate agent who has a bad cocaine habit. After waking up to a girl who has overdosed and embezzling his company’s money, he checks himself into a rehabilitation center to hide from the police. He accepts that he has a substance abuse program and works on sobriety with his mentor.
Documentaries
Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery (2012) This documentary follows the English comedian and actor, Russell Brand, and his struggle with heroin addiction and his subsequent recovery in 2008 after being addicted for 20 years. He looks back at the time where he was addicted to heroin and had his career on the brink of collapse. After being told he had six months to live if he continued, Brand managed to stay clean of drugs and turned his life around.
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (2018) highlights how drugs like OxyContin have been marketed as non-addictive painkillers but have instead created a huge problem. This film traces the overlapping causes that culminated in the exponential growth of opioid addiction and deaths nationwide from the late 20th century to present. Through interviews with experts, family and addict testimonials, this documentary profiles the most deadly drug crisis in American history.
Drugged – High On (2012) is a series created by National Geographic which provides a look into the addiction world through different types of drugs. The series follows three people who are addicted to drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth. They explore how they got addicted to these substances, what triggers their cravings for them, how they deal with those cravings, how they get clean from them, and what life is like after recovery. The documentary also explores various other drugs such as prescription pills and marijuana. It looks at the drug culture in America by talking about the rise of heroin use in rural areas due to the accessibility of prescription medication; it also talks about the opioid epidemic which has had devastating effects on communities across America.
Drinking to Oblivion (2016) is a documentary that explores the lives of people living in South London who are addicted to alcohol and drink to excess. It focuses on the lives of four different individuals at King’s College Hospital in London. It showcases the different ways addiction can affect a person, and it also shows how recovery from addiction is possible.
Montana Meth (2007) is a documentary that was created by two people in Montana who were trying to figure out what was behind the high rates of addiction in their state. It takes a look into the world of crystal meth in a few towns across the state of Montana. Actual users give their insight and tales of their addiction and how it has affected them and their lives.
Recovery Boys (2018) is a documentary that follows four young men in a farming-based rehabilitation program that forge a bond as they try to reinvent themselves after years of suffering from addiction. It takes an intimate look at the strength, brotherfood, and courage that it takes to overcome addiction.
Books
Everything I Never Wanted to Be by Dina Kucera is a true story of a family’s battle with alcoholism and drug addiction. This book includes a number of horrific events but in the end it is an uplifting story that contains valuable lessons and a strong message about the need to address the epidemic of teen drug addiction in our nation.
The Addiction Manifesto by JR Weaver provides readers with his personal experience battling addiction. He is a former addict who shares his story and the story of others throughout this book to discuss the real struggles that come with addiction. This book fosters empathy and understanding towards those dealing with addiction as well as their loved ones.
Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari is a book about Hari’s personal experiences with drugs as well as his research into drug addiction. He discusses his own experiences as well as interviews he conducted with addicts from all over the world in order to find out what causes drug addiction and if there is any way of curing it.
The Heroin Diaries is a memoir by Nikki Sixx, a member of the band Mötley Crüe. It was published in 1997 and is about his life from the beginning of his addiction to heroin until he finally got clean. The book is written in the form of diary entries that are dated from the year he spiraled out of control in a haze of heroin and cocaine.
Terry: My Daughter’s Life-and-Death Struggle with Alcoholism is a moving memoir written by former Senator George McGovern. He recalls the events leading up to his daughter Terry’s death as a result of suffering from alcoholism.
Podcasts
A Sober Girls Guide is a podcast that discusses the challenges of sobriety. It provides listeners with an insight into what life is like as an alcoholic and how they can get help. You will find honest conversations about mental health, self development, and wellness in this podcast.
Saving You Is Killing Me: Loving Someone With an Addiction Podcast is a podcast where the host offers insight and learning opportunities for self-healing, recovery, and resilience to navigate the struggles of loving someone with an addiction. The host offers support by sharing her personal experiences and knowledge of her own struggles.
The Bubble Hour is another podcast that talks about addiction in a humorous way. It covers topics like recovery, relapse, and alcoholism in an entertaining way but also provides some helpful information. It is a weekly podcast about real life stories dealing with alcoholism and addiction.
Let’s Talk: Addiction & Recovery is a podcast where you can hear what leading addiction and recovery experts are talking about. Listen in on conversations with professionals who work at the forefront of addiction treatment, recovery and prevention including noted clinicians, researchers, academics and other thought leaders. This podcast opens the door to help, healing and hope.
The Addicted Mind is a podcast that dives into what drives the addictive process, explores the latest research on addiction, and discusses the latest treatment options for addiction. This podcast explores what recovey looks like from a variety of different people.
The Importance of Learning About Addiction
Addiction is a serious issue that deserves to be taken seriously by everyone. It can be difficult to know what to do if you are struggling with addiction, but understanding the importance of learning about addiction can help you get the help you need. Addiction can be a chronic, relapsing condition that affects the brain and can be hard to overcome. However, with the help of a qualified addiction counselor, you can get the treatment you need to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
At Transcendence Treatment Center, we bring a holistic approach to healing that utilizes various forms of evidence-based therapies that are completely customizable to each individual’s needs. For help getting started on your sober journey, visit our website and reach out to us today.
