Wasted - A Documentary 

Totally agree, accessibility of treatment options and support are huge barriers for many folks who are struggling with a substance use disorder.

Support system bs? I hope my comment was not misleading, I’m not the addict, it’s my wife, and she would not have gotten through it without support from friends, family, AA, and her belief in a higher power. There are some who get sober with the help of a faith, however no one does it alone. My comment was in praise of the video.

No one is an island, we all rely on others in many ways. I, personally, feel privileged when loved ones are willing to open up to me and ask for support.

Up...I 7767 44

I don’t believe all the warnings not to be in a relationship in recovery. It has helped me, in the past, to not be alone. What I think should be said is to be careful who you get into a relationship with, in recovery. It’s a hard time to go through heartache or a partner who has been using or starts again.

Good, because you aren't weak OR stupid! Relapse is a normal part of recovery!

Hope you're doing well

You were addicted to an addictive substance. That doesn't make you weak or stupid, that makes you human!

Sounds to me like you were sober for 5 months and 18 days this year, which is pretty great!

Rick Martin Yes I have heard of Kratom and it effectiveness. There are many plant medicines that show remarkable positive outcomes...Psilocybin, Ayahuasca, Iboga

You are such a brave person. Well done! Keep up with good habits 🌹💙👏

congratulations. I think most of us know just how difficult addictions are and the monumental effort required to stop.

@@C.E.Thomas1952 yes, sobriety don't come cheap!

and to not dwell on the “good memories”

Always know there's an answer out there and support from the community. Avoid being taken advantage of and seek some sort of assurance from scientists and doctors and know that there's always effort being put into the solutions for addicts and victims of mental health abuse!

Did he like helping folks out there?

Good work girl. AA obviously not for everybody.

@@dublinsfaircity it wasn’t for me either. I don’t believe in a religious stuff.

Expelling Satan with the Beelzebub...

@@Herzeleydt_Diesentrueb there one in the same. Who cares who does what? Whatever helps you get through this. Just do it! Religion and anything do not mix well with me personally. I am agnostic.

Not available in the UK at all.

@@vanwin5415 so for ibogaine I had to go to Canada.

How's it going bro

Bless you stay strong and true to yourself

That's why I'm single for life and also don't have many friends

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nVqw0SRIpk8.html

rock bottom is not a real thing

Get on that flow state, whether guitar, or writing, whatever you expression. Its really mind over matter, I've gone thru it 13 years on and off and I needed to go through what I did. Through the darkness I found the light. I play guitar and drums and draw and literally if u replace ur drug with something of that nature, something expressive, but fun, then you will slowly see results.

I did the same thing with exercise and photography!

The beauty of AA to Ms is the love and connectedness I usually feel when I enter those rooms.

This! My Guitar and Ukulele are my true best friends. They were the only ones who were there for me.

@@daviddntait music is integral part of soul development. I don't know why. Whether you play or just enjoy it... God bless

May he Rest In Peace.

He was your Dad. Of course you did the right thing.

@@dublinsfaircity ❤

He took the abuse too I bet.

@@gonavygreg5203 if you mean he accepted the hate and blame he did when he was sober. When he wasn't our home was a war zone.

How do you know that about your dopamine receptors? I’ve often thought this is the case for me as well

think that was sarcasm, congrats on your 90!

@@Kthb80 its in the video...

Amazing I have just started my AA and I'm overwhelmed at the support and what I am learning about my illness

Same to you. Keep up the good work

@@michaelpond9272 I been sober 17 years

I'm so happy for you all that got sober.

Good for you!!! keep it up!!!

I'm about 8 months sober myself. Can't remember the day I stopped for sure. After the 3rd seizure in about 3 months things got pretty fuzzy. But so thankful for the wonderful family I have. Stay strong!

It worked as you were ready to make it work. 🤗

Well done! That’s awesome!

Good for you!

Yes it works IF YOU WORK IT

I hear that. I've never gone to meetings, but the people I know who have all say we're doomed without them. 🤷‍♂️ I'm sure they truly believe that when it comes to themselves, but I have a feeling they're almost jealous or resentful that I just stopped one day. I'm always being told borderline religious dogma straight from these programs. I get it. They're only trying to be helpful, and I truly believe these programs help a lot of people, but there's too much discouragement and shame put on people who just did it on their own. So much of the "sober culture" is that you can't do it alone. I just don't buy that it has to be that way for everyone. I also acknowledge that formal programs and a sober community really is the way for a lot of people. I had a drinking problem. I don't consider myself to be a lifelong alcoholic. Maybe it's selfish of me to not reach out to those struggling in a formal group setting, but I don't want to get sucked into that world. I'm trying to move past that. Something tells me that any advice I'd give in an official meeting like that would actually be unwanted, looked down upon, or possibly even dangerous for some of the addicts there. What REALLY grinds their gears though is that I admit to having a drink now and then. SACRILEGE! It was never alcohol that was the problem to me. It was my relationship to it and the pattern of my drinking. I've changed that pattern and my desire to drink just isn't the same anymore. I DO NOT recommend that sober alcoholics risk having a drink. I know plenty for whom that would reliably spell disaster. However, I feel like I can, and I've seen how resentful that can make people. It's just not in their ideology. So, I just stay away, wish people well, and do my own thing while recognizing that I may be some kind of exception to the rule. Hope you're still doing well.

Geez...what a sad way to look at the other side of sobriety. Happy for you no matter how it was done. But for the aa/na program is bigger than just quitting. It teachs so much through the 12 steps. Those 12 steps are more of a living toolbox. Thank God for humility. I really hope n pray you change your bitter outlook about the program. Best of luck and life to you.

I get called that all the time and it drives me absolutely crazy to the point where I keep drinking on it it's not an excuse it really does drive me back to drink being told I am going to end up in a home with wet brain I don't know why I can't turn off my ears when these haters speak because my true friends keep telling me there are too many jealous people out there

AA meetings are so depressing! I can be having a great sober season and one of these wah wah meetings and I leave wanting a drink I wasn't even thinking about on the way in! Also not a great idea to go to an open or newcomers meeting as a woman. Some people are court ordered predators. Not a great spot for a vulnerable, often marginalized women.

Whatever works for you as long as it doesn’t harm others 😉

It wasn’t my wife or the wine in the fridge at fault. There was a tremendous amount of accumulative stress and traumatic family circumstances. Relapse is not a fail. We need to focus on the well days. One’s term of abstinence is not the only measure of success.

Hey Tarah, going to address this in a short video post tomorrow. Stay tuned. I'm proud of Mike too and I've had a chance to really think about wine in the fridge.

Tarah Princess I wouldn't drink if my significant other had an addiction. It's not that big a deal not to drink or have alcohol in the house. I think it shows support. Besides, if you can't leave it alone for them, maybe there's an issue.

Hi! We appreciate you taking the time to share your point of view. We've addressed these concerns here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t96pZO9Kek0.html

I absolutely agree with this. Thank you for being so selfless and thoughtful. Not very many people are

When I tried to kill myself, I was in the ER until there was a bed available in psych, and I was freezing and asked 3 times for a blanket and the nurse snapped at me that "This isn't a hotel, lady." This was right after I regained consciousness after attempting to take my life. Some people should NOT be in the medical field. I filed a complaint.

One morning years ago while going through horrible heroin withdrawal and begging my parents for money my dad had had enough when i snapped at him for denying me money and he called the police on me because i smahed the closet door. When the police showed up (i remember all of this as clear as day) I was literally curled up as much as i could curl my body up, on the couch soaked in nasty sweat and my legs and feet were moving as fast as anything. I could barely move at thos point, going through pure hell. The police thankfully were empathetic to me and said comr on sit up talk to us. I think he could see in my eyes i was defeated and beaten down. So i sat up which hurt horribly of course; those who know, KNOW. He said to me, your option is jail or we take you to rhe hospital for help. (This was many years ago and i was naive to where proper help was available for opiate addicts like myself). Naturally I chose the hospital. While we waited for the ambulance i went out to the deck and lit a cigarette. By time i got out there the ambulance was already here. But they all waited patiently for me which when i think back i am grateful to how remorsefully they treated me that day. They didnt have to do any of that. Now the trouble begins however. When i got to the ER they rolled me into a room and the police left wishing me luck. I was thankful id get aome relief AND THEN THE NURSE WALKS IN and she says to me I DONT KNOW WHY THEY BROUGHT YOU HERE FOR OPIATE WITHDRAWALS BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU HERE. SHE SAID NASTILY, WERE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU PILLS OR AN IV OF ANY OPIATES NOR CAN WE GIVE YOU METHADONE OR SUBOXONE OR ANYTHING AT ALL TO HELP YOU. I flipped out. I said THEN WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING HERE!?!?! and she walked out the room and they left me there for almost an hour until i snapped. I watched them go back and forth and ignore me. So i snapped Because i was at this point hurting really really bad but they had me on 24 hour watch so i couldnt leave. They had a security guard at my door who was old. I laughed at that because i said to him if i want to run out of here i will run right through you buddy. I STARTED YELLING HELP ME HELP ME PLEASE MAKE THE PAIN STOP!!! That got them moving i guess because i was so loud and there were obviously other patients in the ER. Head nurse came in and said doctor approved injecting me in my ass with a high dose of adavant i think it was. I may be wrong on that, but its to knock you out. And the nurse jabbed me and within a minute or two thankfully i couldn't keep my eyes open and as i started to curl up on the bed the security guard who i laughed at and threatened came next to me and put blankets over me and essentially tucked me in and said SLEEP SON. IT'LL BE OKAY. REST NOW. I remember immediately having utmost respect for that man. And i slipped away to sleep. When i woke up obviously i was still withdrawing but i was able to leave and my sister and mother thankfully were already there for me and i noticed the staff had went through my things and locked it up. Before leaving a guy came in who said he was a psyche doctor and had to ask me a questions before signing off on my release. First thing he did when he sat down was look at me, make a face of remorse and said FUCKING DRUGS MAN. FUCKING DRUGS. Asked me if i wanted to kill or hurt myself, i said of course not, even though i would love to haha I left. I used. And the cycle continued. But i often think of that whole time. All that written just to say that i agree with the staff being nasty and rude. Haha

It's because it's self inflicted

I would never go to an ER again to detox after I saw them kill one lady for not bringing her down with medication. Hopefully I will never go through that again, but if I needed it, I would get the medication needed for safe withdrawl and detox myself in a quiet/positive atmosphere.

@@wickedwonka9155 Ive recently had EXACTLY the same experience here in the UK.

You have an excellent perspective on the issue! Thanks for that😘

Yep I'll double down on what @The anti-Karen said above me. As John Lennon once sang 'whatever gets you through the night'

Agreed! Program has done wonders for me and the only thing that’s gotten me sober. But whatever works for someone else is great!

Same here. 15 years sober, never happier. But I saw a lot of people struggle because they wanted sobriety handed to them. They'd better hope the meds work long term. Who wouldn't rather take a pill than go through the program.

Excellent! Keep up the good work!

@@michaelpond9272 it's awesome staying sober. Even on tough days.

@Tee Twetherlow don't give up. The seed has been planted. ❤

Congratulations 🎉

How are you doing?

Success is “Any Positive Change.” Congratulations!

As Dr. Bill Miller would say, we need to focus on the sober, or well days, not the days you struggled. Your accomplishment is remarkable, especially in the light of the extraordinary stress brought by COVID-19.

Sounds like hell and boring

I'm a functional alcoholic and pill addict I make 6 figures a year

​@ThaGVPSon yes but are you happy living like that, a slave to booze and pills, peace of mind is more valuable than 6figures a year

The pill version of naltrexone costs less than one beer and it can stop that "I need to keep drinking" craziness. You must watch this documentary on The Sinclair Method. watch.amazon.com/detail?asin=B07NC3TVTR Then just Google The Sinclair Method ! Good luck.

Yes, especially when we see the billions of dollars spent on punitive measures and so called law enforcement

Naltrexone is the same thing, but you have to take everyday. Very affordable.

Nick BohoGuido, you actually believe taking an extremely addicting, dangerous, often deadly drug is a cure for anything. You may want to educate yourself on the dangers of ALL psychiatric drugs, including vivitrol.

In the U.S., Vivitrol is covered by most insurance plan and Medicaid in every state. It is very much underutilized.

Moral vs Biology aspect. Perfectly said.

Anna lempke’s work is worth studying on dopamine

Try mucuna bean powder

Facts. Every time I watch/listen, I learn something new. This documentary played and continues to play a role in my sobriety.

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband 💔 And your pain it caused. I wish peace and happiness for you ❤️

Substance abuse isn't a disease. It's a choice. Diseases are something people get and have no say in it...

Same. 8 years no booze. Weed is far easier to manage

That's profound.

9

@@christopherdaly1399 Have you done your Daly workout, Christopher? I did sat ups. I sat up out of bed twice. My stomach has its own rock hard I.Q. waves in the air. *gru ts, throws out back* Okay, I lied.

argh. Not defensive. Simply saying your sister's experience cannot be extrapolated to everyone who has a substance use disorder. I have friends who've been sober for two decades who buy the wine for their friends who come to visit. There are as many answers to this problem as there are people.

Or even try stop drinking yourself Maureen,there's no good that comes from alcohol,,you maybe able to control it, but it can damage you body,it's not worth it

Especially when Maureen couldn’t remember if she finished the bottle. What was that all about?

Same here

'Unimportant to me' I've never heard it described that way. It makes sense and all it just leads me to a question is it like everyone needs their own way to 'own' and describe our feelings towards alcohol/substances? 🤔. I'll probably be pondering on this all day..lol. Congratulations Tracy btw.

@@brazenlilhussy5975 Annie’s methodology requires the brain to see alcohol as toxic, unrewarding and realizing that turned this dry drunk into a content, happy AF living woman. I’m not a sick diseased alcoholic who will be forever chased by a bottle of liquid, I’m an enlightened woman who no longer believes alcohol is a powerful fixer of problems or magic elixir. It’s poison, and I no longer poison myself. I was addicted to an addictive substance, now I’m not.

God works in mysterious ways…well, that explains everything doesn’t it. Convenient reasoning.

​@waynejpark560 The more religious one is, the less critical thinking they do. It's really bizarre...

@@billymacktexasdetective5827 Agree.

Exactly! 👌👍

Not true at all. And, Mate has made many ludicrous claims that are completely untrue.

Such as?

@@mindfuleats4517 Such as, the precise opposite of your upbringing! All possible forms of abuse...

@@sol2117 Gabor created a lot of ideas and content for us; it's impossible not to be wrong sometimes. But, most importantly, he highlighted the idea, that also others talked about, that early childhood experiences are crucial for all human beings no matter who they are, or their location, race, income, etc. Parenting and modeling are simply the base for your potential future.

and I like how the term "alcoholic" is on its way out. It has always been associated with a lifelong disease and it made ppl like me think it was hopeless to try to quit

yes and the research hopefully is coming to us up to date!!! We absolutely no longer in the world the big book was written.

David thank you for your articulate and reasoned response. We do know there are many wonderful, supportive AA groups out there and as Dr. Bill Miller told us, he visits a group where he considers the participants so sage they are almost mystic. You have obviously flourished. Mike has since been to similar groups. But we do know the other kind of groups are out there too, as we've heard from too many who have been shamed and humiliated. Mike would agree with you, a support group that find works with you, perhaps in combo with counselling and/or medications. A person must sincerely wish to change. I wish Mike had met your group many years ago. His journey may not have been so painful.

It definitely has to be wanted by the individual to change foremost. And you may stay sober for a long time. But our brains have a funny thing of only wanting to remember the good things alcohol brought us and not remembering the bad. And the longer you go without constant maintenance the more pronounced that effect becomes leading to relapse.

That's a bit of circular reasoning. By your definition it is impossible for therapy not to work - if it doesn't work it you didn't want it enough and if it does, it is because it works.

@@monroefuches2707 Haven't seen it fail yet when someone surrenders completely and is totally honest. Note that I also mentioned that some people need other types of counseling as well. That can mean therapy or however you interpret it. I've had people lay topics and experiences on me that definitely were outside of my lane and emphatically told them that they needed help from additional resources.

Lol you keep saying “if the person commits”. The program doesn’t work if you’re relating on that. People with addiction are struggling. If someone is already in a program that means that they want to change. The program should be helping them stay on track. A program doesn’t work if they come out of it continuing to consume the substance and/or if they can’t reach everyone in the group. People need connections and treatments where they feel less alone and looked after, part of a community and connected to their work, environment, and most importantly the people around them. Every single person is different and the reason why I don’t really like this doc is because they are focusing on brain chemistry and pharmaceuticals to help with addiction/cravings. This way we are basically labeling these people as broken, instead we should be sitting down with them to understand every individual’s specific case to see what is the thing that’s missing in their life or what is the thing that they’re trying to regulate with substance and help them that way. This documentary of separating people with addiction from the rest of the population and what we should be doing is seeing how all of us have these tendencies, the only difference is that some know how to regulate themselves and other not as much. I don’t really think that this movie really told the story of addiction. It’s a bit of a traditional way of thinking about addiction. Ppl who are interested about addiction would benefit from looking into “Rat Park”. Good luck everyone.

She's an alcoholic , puffy eyes, enlarged liver, shaky hands, and the biggest sign...keeping alcohol around when living with an alcohol

That has to be a living hell for a parent.I can't imagine,even if I did have kids.

Hope it helps. We're so sorry for what you're going through.

I’m so sorry for you! I lost my son last year. He was 37. He didn’t have to die; he just could not stop drinking. Was in the hospital 12 times over three year period. I went trough hell right along with him. So sad!

@@technojunkindatrunk we are so so sorry you lost your son and if anything in our film helps anyone, we are so grateful. We get so frustrated because the medical system does not treat addiction like the life-threatening disorder it is.

Sending good thoughts to you and your son. I hope Wasted helps

You're very welcome. Thank YOU for the compliment. Please share it with anyone who could use it.

Really happy you appreciated Wasted

Smart recovery is a superior evidence based methodology

I couldn’t handle those meetings either. They made me uncomfortable.

It can kill so many brain cells you lose your memory, some of them forever and cannot make new memories, not even know what day it is for many months.

whatever works. We just know there are many paths to recovery. And people need choice. Glad you are well!

Any assistance at all?

AA was created by humans , thus like people not perfect . I’m part of SAA, Sex addict anonymous and it really works for me

Meetings are fine to meet the newcomer and have fellowship but they aren't the entire base of recovery. You don't get better through osmosis. You clear away the wreckage of your past using the steps, live a principled life, and pass it on to the next person. Helping others keeps you sober not binging meetings. Most who fail 1. Never work the steps 1 through 12 efficiently and 2. Haven't helped the next person.

Thank you. It’s Maureen that makes us gorgeous

Hope you and Maureen are still well and happy

Was your friend able to get any help after man? I know things are twice as hard at the minute due to the pandemic. It shows you're a good friend by even looking into research.

I like to binge drink every night and take narcotics in the morning to alleviate the hangover and take vallium to prevent DTs throughout the work day. Is that unhealthy?

I think you were an alcoholic.

​@@ThaGVPSonhow is that working out for you now in 2023,are you still alive.

@zima tma Wrong on all counts 😂

Congratulations Chris, keep coming back 😊😊

Way to go Chris. Those three things are all we need. Don't need faith. Hopeless is better. I hope you're doing well.

way to go Jordan. Any positive change

Hang in there Jordan .Even if you fuck up remember you can start your day over whenever you choose .That helped me volumes.

@Tee Twetherlow Totally agree. The craziness of it becomes clear when you’re going « against the flow ». I never noticed just how many pro-drinking ads there were until I made (and still am - almost 50 days!) the decision to stop. It’s so socially ingrained... no wonder it’s such a rampant problem.

Jennifer thanks so much for watching and adding intelligent comments:) Hope you continue to do well:)

Great compilation , my wife understands and gives me these supplements. It works Iodine is also great and we took out grains and nightshades too.