Books and Movies

28 Days (2000)

Writer Gwen Cummings lives in New York and has a complicated relationship with her boyfriend and her sister. At her elder sister’s wedding, Gwen’s use of alcohol pushes her sister over the edge, reminding her and her sister of their own mother. Soon facing a choice between jail time and rehab, she chooses 28 days in rehab. Here she learns to think differently about her substance use, and prioritizing herself and taking accountability for her own future.

“I liked it very much because I had a similar experience, so this movie gives me the chance to think about it and about my new life.”

“Great movie with a great cast and put together very well. If you have an addiction then this movie is worth watching to understand more about it.”

Trigger warnings: suicide, drinking

Rated: PG-13

 

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Pat is discharged from a psychiatric facility, and is required to return home to his parent’s house as a condition of his release. He struggles with bipolar disorder and taking his medication. Trying to make amends to his former partner, as well as his family, he meets Tiffany, dealing with her own losses. Entering a dance competition and placing a life-changing wager on an Eagles game, Pat and Tiffany learn to cope with their mental health, to improve themselves for themselves, and how support from someone who understands can change perspective and ability to succeed.

“I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed a movie more from beginning to end. O'Russell brilliantly tells a heartwarming, yet complicated and hilarious tale, that leaves you on the edge of the seat.”

“Great acting. Touching and relatable love story.”

Trigger warnings: sexual content

Rated: R

 

Beautiful Boy (2018)

Father and son find themselves coping with son Nic’s addiction to crystal meth and intermittent periods of sobriety. His father, David, becomes addicted himself to the idea of saving or fixing his son, who he struggles to understand. Their relationship strained throughout periods of sobriety, use, and misplaced blame, neither gives up on their common goal: to get Nic back to the life he deserves, filled with writing, laughing, and hope.

“Based on a true story, this film reminds us that addiction is a disease which does not discriminate: it can hit anybody at any time.”

“This film was complex, moving and portrayed the challenges of caring for a family member impacted by addiction or any severe mental illness really - in a compassionate and extremely accurate way.”

Trigger warnings: drug use, brief sexual content, language

Rated: R

 

Four Good Days (2020)

Molly reaches out to her mother for support in her bid to get sober. Having long supported her without success, her mother Deb is reluctant to believe this time is different. In order to get a medical intervention, Molly has to be sober for four more days. Over this time, her mother is hopeful and helps Molly any way she can. Deb reveals just how far she will go to help her daughter, and Molly proves that the strength and resolve she remembers from her childhood self, never went away.

“I think the movie perfectly portrays a person that wants to get clean and is trying really hard to do so. I also think it perfectly portrayed a mother who really wanted to help despite being burned multiple times and somewhat cautious of trusting or being 100% supportive.”

“As an addict with 2 years sober, this movie was amazing and heart breaking and tear jerking. So real. Thank God for recovery!”

Trigger warnings: smoking, drug use, language, brief nudity

Rated: R

 

Ben is Back (2018)

Ben, 19, shows up to his family home around Christmas having left his rehab center against the advice of his doctor. After promising herself she wouldn’t let him back in, his mother Holly makes an exception for the holiday. He can stay for 24 hours, as long as he does not leave her side. After the family’s dog gets kidnapped, Ben realizes the relationships he had before rehab will come back to haunt him and his family. Holly, desperate to keep her son sober, and Ben, wanting to prevent his family from further suffering, find their way back to each other just in time.

“This movie requires people who have never experienced this to accept it as fiction or some stretched reality. But for those of who lived this, it's a reminder of what we've gone through. And to call this unbelievable is probably justified - because it is unbelievable the things family will go through for their loved ones.”

“One of the most intense and tough dramas about drug abuse I've seen. The tension is present during the whole movie, wrecks stereotypes and is moving but not too sentimental.”

Trigger warnings: drug use, violence, language, brief sexual content

Rated: R

Wild (2014)

After experiencing the loss of her mother, Cheryl finds herself coping by using heroin and complicating relationships. Her marriage having fallen apart, and struggling to find a future in which she feels she belongs, she sets out on a 1,000-mile hike across the country. Inexperienced and untrained, Cheryl sets out to find herself and overcome the losses she has felt. Instead, she finds a whole lot more.

“I am still finding myself lost and struggling to find meaning in life. It is a constant struggle to not give up and give into self destruction and I am very thankful that the protagonist captured this feeling very well. Like the life of a lot of people, this movie is about the journey we take. It's not about the destination or achieving a particular purpose.”

“Strayed's problems are numerous as she is an unlikable hero, but all the more real for her issues. I found myself admiring her more and more as Wild went on for she overcomes a lot.”

Trigger warnings: sexual content, drug use, language, violence

Rated: R

 

The Anonymous People (2013)

Documentary-style, this film portrays the lives of those in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse. It shows individuals in long-term recovery success in breaking down and overcoming the stigma associated with substance use. Instead, they harness the power, knowledge, and experiences they have to succeed in their own recovery and to help others through policy and social change.

“The individuals who are shown in this film are honest, hard working individuals who have struggled through addiction and are now on the other side and reaching out to help others.”

“This is not the kind of feature documentary that presents an all-sides exploration of an issue.  Instead, it seeks to persuade its audience of its point of view: that it is time for people living in recovery from addiction to step forward and be counted as they claim the treatment, support and respect they are due”

Rated: Unrated

 

Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018)

After nearly losing his life in a car accident, John Callahan knows he needs to stop drinking. He finds a sponsor and enters treatment, where he discovers a knack for drawing cartoons. Based on a true story, John uses his new found talent to help guide his new reality, post-treatment.

“Although there have been countless films made about alcoholics, their recovery and AA, this was different. This felt as if the viewer was there, not watching a movie with actors.”

“Leaves the audience inspired and amused rather than feeling sorry for the main character, John Callahan. A must see adaptation of the book!”

Trigger warnings: sexual content, brief nudity, alcohol use, language

Rated: R

 

Rocketman (2019)

The story of famed singer Elton John sheds light behind the scenes of his fame and success. It also, however, covers the darker, real turmoil and addiction Elton faced. Growing up with an absent father and ashamed of his identity, substance use was more than just a part of rock and roll. He feels alone and exhausted, culminating in a heart attack. Entering rehab and rekindling relationships, Elton’s fears about not being successful without substances is proved to be false.

“There may be conventional moments in the story (a lot of biopics though are like that), but the scenes showing off John's unique showmanship are difficult to look away from and the story detailing John's troubled personal life at the time is powerful. A great job is done showing who John is, what he is and how his mind worked when dealing with troubles and when he was writing and performing.”

“A good chronicle of Elton John's life. Well played and sung by all actors. The music was wonderful. If you've listened to & loved all his songs for the last 50 years, it is a must see.”

Trigger warnings: language, some sexual content, drug use

Rated: R

 

The Basketball Diaries (1995)

High school basketball player Jim Carroll’s best friend is dying of leukemia. Coping with loss and with adolescent worries, he and his friends begin acting out, eventually using heroin. Once banned from basketball and in trouble at school, Jim drops out. His mother kicks him out, now homeless, Jim experiences gripping addiction and the losses that come with it. Eventually arrested for his involvement in crimes he committed due to use.

“I give it two thumbs way up and my sincere thanks to Jim Carroll for fighting off his demons to write "The Basketball Diaries".”

“You see the breakdown which leads to a wonderful teen to become a drug addict and a person, who lives his life just for a moment, only to later realize that it has all gone wrong.”

Trigger warnings: sexual content, violence, drug use, language

Rated: R