15 Great Films with Themes of Addiction, Drugs, and Alcoholism

He plays an addict who is so deep into his disease that he gets caught stealing money from his company and is found with a dead woman who overdosed with him. He slowly finds his way back to sobriety through a 12-step program and in the end is redeemed, but not without tragedy. Ben Affleck drew from his own battles with alcoholism in playing a basketball coach who can’t quit in The Way Back. Despite pleas from his friends and family, and despite getting straight for a short time, his demons return and he finally hits rock bottom after getting fired and crashing his car. It ends with him finally hearing what his sister has been pleading with him to do and he gets clean. Beautiful Boy’s portrayal of addiction is heartbreaking but empathetic, showcasing that love can be a source of light.

  • Authenticity helps to break down stereotypes, challenge stigmas, and promote a more nuanced understanding of addiction.
  • Thomas Vinterberg’s dark-comedy simmers with personality, starring Mads Mikkelsen in one of his best performances.
  • At Recovery Centers of America, we deliver
industry-leading addiction care with heart.
  • This is an indication that the protagonist recovers from substance use disorder.

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  • 1991’s Rush is a visceral movie about the dangers of both drug use and undercover police work as two cops, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Patric get in way too deep as they work undercover.
  • Aronofsky uses rapid cut shots to showcase the edginess of the characters, to their path to getting high, which was groundbreaking.
  • Scaling up has allowed Meeks to deepen our exposure to a blue-collar milieu and smalltown setting not far from where he grew up, to which he clearly feels a strong connection.
  • This movie may be one of the best films to watch as a family if you want to better understand the danger and pain of drug use.

“Rocketman” — a depiction of Elton John’s life and career — spends a portion of its story talking about the singer-songwriter’s drug addiction. This film takes a unique approach to addressing drug addiction by incorporating it into the larger-than-life story of a global superstar. It serves as a reminder that even those who seem to have it all can still struggle deeply with addiction. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this movie focuses on the recovery process for those who are addicted to drugs.

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A Prophet skillfully delves into the psychological and social implications of drug addiction and the challenges faced by individuals in such environments. While not exclusively focused on drug addiction, the film explores the transformative journey of a man battling addiction while fighting for his own life and the lives of others. Matthew McConaughey delivers a remarkable performance, showcasing the physical and emotional toll of addiction and the resilience of the human spirit. Amy Winehouse was an extremely talented artist who constantly struggled with eating disorders, mental health issues, and drug usage. The film is heartbreaking as it shows us how cruelly the media and fans treated Amy and how that was one of the main driving forces of her untimely death. The movie is devastating, and it teaches us that we need to be kinder to people who are struggling with these issues or it can lead to fatal conclusions.

Related Read to Films With Addiction: Midnight Cowboy ( : Castaways On The Streets

  • Depictions of addiction and recovery are not sparse in Hollywood, as filmmakers have focused on telling stories of drug use, alcoholism, trauma, loss, and rehabilitation on-screen for decades.
  • With its intense storytelling and vivid depiction of the drug trade, City of God provides an unflinching look at the impact of drugs on individuals and communities.
  • He plays an addict who is so deep into his disease that he gets caught stealing money from his company and is found with a dead woman who overdosed with him.
  • The toll addiction takes on family members is viscerally felt in Ben Is Back, starring Julia Roberts as a mother desperately trying to get her son clean.
  • In recovery, John rekindles his partnership with Bernie and embarks on a 30-year sober career.

He ends up in a sticky situation when he wakes up next to a woman who had a heart attack. As he attempts to flee the situation, Poynter checks himself into a rehab center to hide. Clean and Sober is a movie about a successful real estate agent named Daryl Poynter (played by Michael Keaton) who suffers from substance abuse.

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movies about drug addiction

‘Benjamin’ deals with family dysfunction, at the center of which is a drug addiction. Benjamin’s (Max Burkholder) family thinks he is a drug addict, and the members come together to address the issue and intervene. However, it is soon revealed that every member of the family has some issue, including Benjamin’s father, Ed (Bob Saget). As the plot progresses, traditional notions about family manners and norms are addressed, underscored by the unsaid “declaration” that parents want what’s best for their child.

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Based on the true story of model Gia Carangi, Angelina Jolie disappears into the role of the protagonist who, despite seemingly having it all, succumbs to addiction, AIDS, and death in the 1980s. Gia is redeemed at the very end, as she finally sobers up, but alas, it’s too late. A Good Person is a painful depiction of the aftermath of grief and the dangerous path of using drugs as a means of relief, made all the more emotional via one of Florence Pugh’s best performances. Allison takes the viewers on a heart-wrenching and real journey of fighting her way out.

  • Jax Taylor has quit social media in an effort to protect his mental health.
  • As overjoyed as Holly is to be reunited with her son, she is understandably suspicious given his history of drug abuse.
  • Moreover,  if you want to know more about substance use disorder, here is a real help.
  • These young and in love addicts must fight to change their lives and see if love can survive all.
  • However, it’s crucial to remember that while these portrayals can be informative and emotionally powerful, they’re not substitutes for professional help or advice.
  • Goodfellas is based on the true story of Henry Hill, a member of the mob who was at the center of the lavish and exciting world until it all came crashing down.

Great Films with Themes of Addiction, Drugs, and Alcoholism

It’s a lot harder to judge someone when you’ve spent two hours walking in their shoes, even if those shoes are metaphorical and covered in movie theater popcorn butter. For starters, these films and shows play a crucial role in raising public awareness and reducing stigma. By bringing addiction stories into our living rooms, Netflix is helping to normalize conversations about substance abuse. It’s harder to judge or dismiss addiction when you’ve spent hours drug addiction empathizing with characters grappling with these issues.

movies about drug addiction

Clean and Sober brings us the story of a man battling alcohol and cocaine addiction. He has a good life as a successful real estate agent but can’t bring himself to admit that he needs help to recover. The Panic in Needle Park focuses on love and drugs—how the use of illegal substances can affect your relationships with other people. It also portrays how hard it can be to break an addiction and stop using. As a woman forced to go to rehab due to alcohol addiction, she struggles to accept that she has a problem. She finds it hard to recover because she is not yet ready to let go of her addiction.

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