People who are in long-term recovery do not always get the credit that is due to them. There are so many misconceptions about addiction that need to be brought to light so that more can be done. “The Anonymous People” documentary is about the brave people who are working on their recovery and inspiring others to do the same.
The filmmaker behind this documentary was Greg Williams who has been struggling with alcohol since he was seventeen. He almost died when he crashed his car while under the influence and decided to go into treatment after. This documentary shows all of the important elements of addiction that everyone should know. We learn about how addiction was not considered a disease a long time ago but as a moral failing. Williams explains celebrity bulletins of addiction only reveal their frantic behaviors instead of what they are struggling with and about getting help. The documentary explains the giant stigma surrounding addiction. That during the AIDs/HIV epidemic, it was only considered a disease brought on by gay men until Magic Johnson came out with HIV. If more people came out about their struggles with addiction, there could be more done about it.
“The Anonymous People” shows well-known people who have struggled with addiction like actress Kristen Johnston. She mentions that a friend came up to her and told her to stop telling people that she is sober since it makes everyone feel uncomfortable. This proved to her how important it was to tell her story. The documentary also shows Tom Coderre who was Chief of Staff to the Rhode Island Senate President but got arrested for possession of cocaine and ordered to go into recovery. This shows how you can go from being a lawmaker to a lawbreaker because of this uncontrollable brain disease.
We also learn about the history of Alcoholics Anonymous and the controversy of lawmakers believing that arresting those in possession of drugs is the answer. The strongest quote in the documentary came from Marty Mann who was one of the earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous when she said that her being an alcoholism is not in the past tense but the present tense even though she has not touched alcohol in over thirty years. This is a great documentary to see if you want further education about the disease of addiction and how successful long-term recovery can be.
Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center’s mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
