Top 10 Movies about Addiction and Recovery
There are a lot of movies that have had the journey from addiction to recovery as a major or minor storyline over the years. Movies about drug abuse and recovery sometimes have a hard time capturing what it’s like to struggle with addiction, but others have been real home runs and given a good view into life with substance use disorders.
Movies About Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Some movies just touch on use disorders and addiction, and others have it as the main topic of the film. In some stories, what can lead to addiction, how substance abuse treatment worked out, and whether the person ended up clean and sober are covered and in others it’s just part of the scenery.
Call Daybreak Treatment Solutions today at (844) 695-0083 for help in overcoming your addiction.
Top 10 Movies About Addiction
A Star is Born
This 2018 combination remake starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga is one of the most recent blockbusters about drug and alcohol abuse.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
In the film, Bradley Cooper is already addicted to drugs and alcohol and later takes part in an inpatient treatment program.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
The main character does successfully begin addiction recovery but then has a relapse not too long after inpatient drug rehab treatment.
Basketball Diaries
This 1995 movie written by Jim Carroll about drug and alcohol abuse stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a high school basketball player who develops a cocaine addiction.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
The main character tries several different drugs and becomes addicted to heroin, eventually getting into an addiction recovery program.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
The movie concludes with the main character being clean and sober and attending support meetings similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
28 Days
Sandra Bullock stars in the 2000 movie as a journalist who spirals out of control and gets into an inpatient alcohol and drug abuse program.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
The main character reaches rock bottom and gets help for their alcoholism.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
Although the main character does not love the idea of an alcohol treatment program, it does help her begin her recovery.
Drugstore Cowboy
Matt Dillon plays Bob Hughes in this highly acclaimed 1989 movie about crime and drug abuse.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
The main character tries to break away from the drugs and alcohol lifestyle they are living.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
Matt Dillon’s character successfully stops using but the end of the film indicates he may not stay clean and sober forever.
Flight
This movie tells the story of Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot played by Denzel Washington, in the form of a thriller-style film.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
Denzel Washington plays a pilot fighting for his career, which has been affected by his alcohol abuse.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
The main character speaks to a group of inmates regarding addiction recovery as the film closes.
Trainspotting
This 1996 movie tells the story of a group of teens in Edinburgh who are free-spirited heroin addicts, headed by now mega film star, Ewan McGregor.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
The main character tries to go through drug detox on his own, deals with possible HIV infection, and other issues surrounding drugs and alcohol.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
Ewan McGregor’s character, after some stumbling with prior acquaintances, does move on with drug addiction behind him.
Clean and Sober
This 1988 film starring Micahel Keaton shows how devastating substance abuse can be and how helpful residential treatment and step programs can be, too.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
Michael Keaton portrays a real estate agent who struggles with addiction and goes to a residential treatment program for help.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
Daryl Poynter, played by Michael Keaton, gets his 30-day sobriety coin as the movie closes.
Notorious
This classic 1946 Alfred Hitchcock film shows that the topic of drugs and alcohol have been covered in movies for decades.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
This movie shows how toxic alcohol use disorders can be in a relationship and the challenges alcohol abuse creates.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
The main characters deal with many issues throughout the film but it’s hard to tell whether they recover from their alcohol abuse as the film ends.
Ray
Many famous figures have had issues with drugs and alcohol, including Ray Charles, played in this 2004 film by Jamie Foxx.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
Ray Charles struggled with addiction for decades and entered recovery in the 1960s.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
Ray Charles successfully recovers and maintains a clean and sober lifestyle.
Leaving Las Vegas
This 1995 film tells the story of a businessman portrayed by Nicolas Cage and some of the darker results of alcohol and drug abuse.
How is it About Addiction and Recovery?
This gritty film shows how alcohol abuse can affect so many areas of your life.
Do the Characters Recover from Substance Use Disorder?
The main character dies in the end, after not being able to stop drinking and refusing medical attention.
What Movie Best-Portrayed Drug Use or Addiction?
Adding to the list above, Rush and Traffic are two of the most highly-acclaimed movies about drug abuse and recovery. This is in addition to Clean and Sober and Leaving Las Vegas, highlighted above.
Recovery Support and Addiction Treatment at DayBreak
The journey from addiction to recovery can be tough, and at DayBreak we have the treatment programs that can help you or someone you love. Give us a call today at (844) 695-0083 to find out more.