5 Must See Recovery Movies

Art can imitate life. And the art of film has inspired us with stories of hope, struggle, trial and redemption. The characters portrayed in motion pictures transform the view into the human psyche that is vivid enough for all to recognize the pain, as well as why our milestones matter. Aren't those two things that want others to understand about us? Movies are used in treatment settings to help keep the attention of clients while also driving home the point of recovery, and most importantly, what a healthy positive recovery outcome looks like in art form. This leads to the development of our personal vision of what our comeback looks like. It inspires action, tempers reactions and creates an energy tied to a mission. It's really something to lean into. 

There are thankfully dozens of great films about recovery. Here are 5 that I've seen, that have helped me and that I recommend to clients I work with as a Peer Recovery Specialist. 

"FLIGHT" : 2012. Denzel Washington. Amazing true story which is very accurate in the mindset of a struggling alcoholic fighting to hold it all together. In class Denzel fashion, you want to hate his character but feel empathy for him as well. 

"FOUR GOOD DAYS" 2020: Mila Kunis and Glenn Close. Easily my favorite movie of Mila Kunis. For anyone unfamiliar with the medication treatment for harder drugs, this movie explains the basics very well and why staying clean is just so important. And why it's always good policy to ask for help, and help those when they are brave enough to ask. 

"A STAR IS BORN" 2018" Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga. I'm sure most have seen this popular remake but it highlights a few things I wish were most obvious. First is that leaving treatment is super hard. It's not really a "graduation". It's an ejection seat into the scary real and tempting world that is largely oblivious to our needs. The other is, check on people when they're quiet. Even if they are usually quiet, they are still deserving of our active caring.

"A MILLION LITTLE PIECES" 2019: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Charlie Hunnam. This movie was first shown to me in residential treatment. It really impacted me so I always share it. This picture is sad, very real, and could be triggering. It really details how truly difficult simple tasks are. There is a scene where the main character goes to the dentist and it shows his pain and mental battle to fight cravings. It's well done. 

"COUNTRY STRONG" 2010: Gwyneth Paltrow, Garret Hedlund, Tim McGraw. I know this one is a curveball. But the themes in it are worth noting. I find in recovery that I, and many, have rushed back to work in the past. We're wired to think we're not contributing unless we are earning. That simply isn't true at all. Rushing back to work is kryptonite for sustainable recovery. In this movie the main character is rushed back to the stage far too soon. She is led back to where trauma occurred, which is a cruel turn of events. And as love can do, it complicates and thwarts the main character's stability leading to a demise. I won't ruin the ending for you but among the great music, there are recovery lessons to be learned in this movie. 

Whatever we use for inspiration, we all have the solace that we define and refine our story. We aren't handcuffed by a script and our personal character is our passport to living a life worth celebrating and remembering. We know the actors I mentioned above because of movies. but the beauty of us is that we own and are known for our moments. Go out and make your moments. 

Aaron 

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