[Allan]

This is a movie I have watched for the last 4 years of my life. Once a year for each of my years of sobriety. It helps me to remember, where I was, what I was like, where I was headed, and what I went through. All of this has helped to keep it fresh in my mind what it was like. I am not sure if it has helped me to stay clean, but I do know it has not hurt. I feel remembering where we were and what we were like helps us in reaching out to others because we know the feelings they are going through. Helping others, helps ourselves too. I watched this movie in one of my treatments and it did not hit me at all then. But now, it really shows me what I was like and how I affected others. Being a recovering alcoholic/junkie it puts all those times back into my head of what it was like going through all of this. The feelings of like bugs crawling under my skin and then looking down and seeing my skin move where the bugs were moving. That was BAD. That happened when going cold turkey off of heroin. All of this misuse of drugs and alcohol has taken part of my life away. But it has also given me a new and different life. I am able to see things differently and know how to reach out to others when they need the help. I like to say I never went to college but I did go to the college of hard knocks. Had to learn things the hard way. If know one has seen this movie, I would suggest seeing it. It does open your eyes and see yourself as we were or how we still may be. It is tough seeing ourselves the way we were but helps us into understanding ourselves more and see what our addiction has done to us. There is hope for all of us, I believe that. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. And we have to be the tough people fighting this day in and day out.
I told myself when I first got clean this time I was going to watch this movie at least once a year to just remind myself about what I was. As of now, this is my 4th time watching it. It still hits home just like it did when I first saw it. Anything I can find that will help me to stay clean and sober is worth trying for me. If I go back, I know I die. Running away from life is not an option for me. Facing it is hard but makes me feel stronger each time I do it.

Allan

Yesterday is gone, in the past. Tomorrow is not here, in the future. All we have is today, the present. And that present is a gift to us all.

[BamaSurvivor]

It is a very good movie to watch in sobriety... The treatment center I was in didn't allow us to watch movies like that, though. All we could watch was PG movies and movies like documentries on drug addiction... Such as Father Martin, if you're fimilar with him.

I also firmly believe in being reminded of where we once came from, so it stays with us. I think if you forget that last time you used, or what brought you to hitting rock bottom, then you're more likely to relapse. Remembering what got you to rock bottom reminds you that you don't want to go back there again.

I'd also recommend Requiem for a Dream. VERY graphic movie, very detailed on the drug abuse and could possibly be triggering... But at the same time, it's helped me realize i don't want to go back down that path.

[Allan]

Oh yes, I remember watching alot of Father Martin's short movies. I thought he was so calm and everything but he brought across such a good and powerful point to us.

Allan

[BamaSurvivor]

Did you see the film with Father Martin and the other guy(can't think of his name), who presented the 4 categories of drugs (opiates, benzos, marijuina, and stimulants) and had testimonies from people who had used in the past? That's probably one of my favorites. One of the guys I could relate to so much. He talked about how he was so doped up he'd go check his mail at 3 in the morning, thinking people were outside trying to get him so he'd go to the mailbox to check around but didnt want to look suspecious. I remember those days so well. The days of picking at my skin because I had "meth mytes", peeking out of the shades because I thought people were watching me, not eating because I thought the food was poisoned. It was so bad.

[Allan]

Yes I saw that film. And yes, I went through alot of the same things you went through. Exspecially when doing Meth. Acid years ago did the same thing for me. Really parinoid about everything. I am SO glad today I do not have to be like that and have those feelings again. Just today, I do not have to go through that again.

Allan

[BamaSurvivor]

Amen! Just for today, we can live a better life.

[Raynaadi]

I love 28 days! It was on the other night. Coincidentally, I had missed my meeting to go to dinner with my dad, and came home to see that movie. I couldn't believe it was on TV when I needed to see it.

[StargazerLily]

I *believe* that I have seen this movie before, but a very long time ago, and I thought then that it was very funny. I havent watched in since, but should consider it. hmm...

But..there is another movie, that I absolutely LOVE, and watch it when ever it is on TV, with Meg Ryan..ever seen this movie called "When a Man Loves a Woman"? It reminds me a lot of me, without the kids, but with the husband..

[BamaSurvivor]

Yes, When A Man Loves A Woman is one of the best movies ever made. The unconditional love and support throughout her addiction is amazing. Love that movie...

Another good one is Leaving Las Vegas, with Nicholas Cage. I'd suggest it to anyone, but as with any alcoholic/drug movie, it can be triggering.