15 Shocking Documentaries About The Opioid Epidemic
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has become a hot topic, fueling a barrage of documentaries aimed at offering insight on the crisis. These documentaries explore different facets of the opioid epidemic, including its origins, causes, and effects. They also focus on the people impacted by this scourge and the efforts made to stop it.
In this blog post, we will summarize some of the best documentaries about the opioid epidemic, including The Crime of the Century (2021), One Nation, Overdosed (2017), Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (2018), Dr. Feelgood (2017), and Heroin(e) (2017).
1. The Crime of the Century (2021)
The Crime of the Century (2021) is a two-part documentary that takes a deep dive into the roots of the opioid epidemic. It traces the crisis back to the rampant drug marketing by pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, who falsely promoted OxyContin as a non-addictive painkiller.
The documentary also explores how the government and healthcare system failed to stem the epidemic, resulting in millions of people addicted to opioids and thousands dead. The Crime of the Century is an eye-opening and sobering documentary that highlights the greed and corruption that fueled the opioid crisis.
The Crime of the Century on Factual America
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2. One Nation, Overdosed (2017)
One Nation, Overdosed (2017) follows the stories of several people affected by the opioid epidemic, including those who have lost loved ones to overdoses.
The documentary provides a personal account of the crisis, including the struggles of addiction, the dangers of overdose, and the impact of drug trafficking. One Nation, Overdosed focuses on the human toll of the epidemic, reminding us that every statistic represents a life lost or shattered.
One Nation, Overdosed on Top Documentary Films
3. Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (2018)
Understanding the Opioid Epidemic (2018) is a documentary created by the American Medical Association to educate the public on the opioid crisis.
It outlines the history of opioids and their uses, the science behind addiction, and the societal factors that contribute to addiction. Understanding the Opioid Epidemic emphasizes the importance of stopping the epidemic through education, prevention, and evidence-based treatment.
👉 Watch Understanding the Opioid Epidemic on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Understanding the Opioid Epidemic as DVD on Amazon
4. Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? (2016)
Dr. Feelgood tells the story of Dr. William Hurwitz, a pain management doctor who was convicted of drug trafficking for prescribing opioids to patients.
The documentary explores the complex issue of pain management and the challenges doctors face in balancing pain relief with responsible prescribing. Dr. Feelgood demonstrates the delicate balance between providing medical care and avoiding the pitfalls of prescription drug abuse.
👉 Watch Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? as DVD on Amazon
5. Heroin(e) (2017)
Heroin(e) (2017) focuses on Huntington, West Virginia, a city that has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The documentary follows the work of three women – a fire chief, a judge, and a street missionary – who are fighting the crisis on the front lines.
Heroin(e) showcases the efforts of these dedicated women, who are working tirelessly to reduce overdose rates and provide support to those affected by addiction.
6. Recovery Boys (2018)
Recovery Boys is a documentary directed and produced by Elaine McMillion Sheldon. It follows the lives of four young men struggling with addiction and their journey towards recovery. The documentary highlights the challenges that these men face in their efforts to overcome addiction and reintegrate into society.
Through in-depth interviews and footage of daily life in a recovery center, Recovery Boys sheds light on the difficulties of recovery and how these individuals' struggles can affect their families and communities.
7. Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (2018)
Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis is a documentary that was released in 2018. The film was directed by Devin T. Whetstone and brings together medical professionals, policymakers, and recovering addicts to discuss the causes and effects of the opioid epidemic.
The documentary provides a comprehensive overview of the opioid crisis, from the role of pharmaceutical companies in creating the crisis to the impact on communities and individuals.
Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis on FilmFreeway
8. Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic (2019)
Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic is a documentary that was released in 2019. It highlights the role that medical professionals play in creating and perpetuating the opioid crisis. The film explores the systemic issues that have led to the over-prescription of opioids and the devastating consequences of this practice.
This documentary also shows how healthcare professionals are trying to change and develop novel solutions for tackling the crisis, highlighting the importance of addressing addiction as a medical condition.
👉 Buy Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic as DVD on Amazon
9. Runnin' (2017)
Runnin shows the lives of addicts trying to find their way to recovery and their struggles with opioid addiction. The documentary emphasizes the importance of hope and community in the journey towards healing. The movie highlights the human face of addiction and how it affects the lives of those who are addicted.
10. BBC Addicted: America's Opioid Crisis (2020)
BBC Addicted: America's Opioid Crisis is a documentary that was aired in 2020. The film provides a fresh perspective on the opioid epidemic, focusing on the struggles of individuals trying to get their lives back on track.
The documentary features stories of individuals and their families who have been affected by the epidemic. From the struggles of dealing with grief to the difficulties of getting job opportunities, the documentary provides a platform for those whose lives have been disrupted by the opioid crisis.
BBC Addicted: America's Opioid Crisis on BBC
11. Drugs in the U.S. - The Opioid Crisis (2023)
One of the most recent documentaries about the opioid epidemic is Drugs in the U.S. - The Opioid Crisis. Released in 2023, the documentary gives an in-depth look at the rise of opioid addiction in America.
The film highlights the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the epidemic's growth and the impact of government policies in fighting the crisis.
Drugs in the U.S. - The Opioid Crisis on DW Documentary
12. 7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas (2021)
Another documentary that captures the opioid epidemic's impact is 7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas. The documentary, released in 2021, focuses on the opioid addiction crisis in Arkansas and how it affects various aspects of life in the state, including healthcare, the economy, and social welfare.
The film portrays the lives of addicts, their families, and the efforts of healthcare providers and community organizations to combat the epidemic.
7 Days: The Opioid Crisis in Arkansas on YouTube
13. The Pharmacist (2020)
The Pharmacist is another documentary that gives insight into the opioid epidemic. Released in 2020, the film is about a pharmacist named Dan Schneider who lost his son to opioid addiction.
The documentary series follows Schneider's mission to bring justice to his son's killer and shut down the doctor's pill mill which supplied many people with opioids. The film reveals the devastating result of prescription pill dependency and also highlights the importance of justice in the fight of the opioid epidemic.
14. Warning: This Drug May Kill You (2017)
Released in 2017, Warning: This Drug May Kill You is another documentary that educates people about the opioid epidemic. Directed by Perri Peltz, the film isn't about any particular state or community, but it highlights the opioid epidemic's impact on American families.
The documentary follows the stories of average Americans, who have lost loved ones to opioid addiction. The film shows how addiction may start with prescribed medication and can easily spiral out of control.
Warning: This Drug May Kill You on Factual America
👉 Watch Warning: This Drug May Kill You on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy Warning: This Drug May Kill You as DVD on Amazon
15. The Trade (2018)
Lastly, The Trade is a five-part documentary series focused on the opioid epidemic's impact on Mexico and the United States.
The documentary follows many characters, including a heroin addict in New York, a poppy farmer in Mexico, and a DEA agent assigned to the Mexican border. The series highlights the opioid epidemic's transnational nature and how it affects communities across different countries.
👉 Watch The Trade on Amazon Prime
👉 Buy The Trade as DVD on Amazon
Conclusion
The opioid epidemic has caused immeasurable damage to individuals, families, and communities across the United States. These documentaries provide a crucial look at the crisis, exploring its causes, effects, and potential solutions.
By understanding the opioid epidemic and the people impacted by it, we can work together to help those affected and end this crisis once and for all.
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