Not appropriate for group therapy


I'm a counselor at a medication assisted treatment program, and this documentary peaked my interest. I'm always looking for good movies to show in group, and I thought my patients would be interested in seeing a celebrity's journey into recovery. For starters, there are a lot of images of graphic drug use, so if you're brave enough to show this to a group of recovering addicts please warn them in advance and ask their permission. Second of all, Russell Brand is very much against medication assisted treatment, specifically methadone. He attempts to show both sides of the argument by talking to a physician at a methadone clinic, but he just ends up arguing with her and cutting her off during the interview. I still considered showing the movie to my group and allowing an honest debate, but the last thing I want to do is show my patients propaganda that's telling them their form of treatment is wrong and they'll never truly be clean. I think methadone, Suboxone, Subutex, vivitrol are all effective forms of treatment. Not everyone can get and stay clean with abstinence. So ultimately I decided not to show the movie. I do think he makes a lot of great points throughout the film about other matters, so it's still a worthwhile watch, just not for a methadone group.

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