For those who have struggled with addiction or spent time in a drug rehab program in the past, the reality of substance abuse isn't a pretty one. The same holds true for those who have watched family members or friends go through this ordeal. For those who have or are dealing with the realities of substance abuse, it may seem strange or even tasteless that Hollywood chooses to explore this world in film, sometimes in a less-than-realistic manner. Drug addiction (and sometimes even drug rehabilitation) is featured in a wide variety of movies. Some may feel that these flicks serve to glamorize drug use and addiction, failing to highlight just how devastating the effects can be. Others might think that there are films out there that give a fairly accurate portrayal maybe not enough to make them a tool in a drug addiction center, but they might give a layman a better understanding of the effects of the disease known as addiction.
The movies that treat substance abuse as a serious subject tend to be fairly serious movies, not surprisingly. A good example would be the film Basketball Diaries, starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio. The film features scenes of heroin addiction and withdrawal, which could serve to inform someone who has no idea what a person goes through during drug rehab. Another movie featuring heroin use, Trainspotting, is one of the more well-known movies about drug addiction and might be a bit too graphic for many watchers to handle.
Of course, in the current atmosphere, with many people more likely to face prescription drug abuse instead of street drug usage, movies such as this might not seem as relevant to some viewers. This is particular true when it comes to older films such as the 1988 Michael Keaton movie Clean and Sober. Of course, that may change in the coming years as Hollywood catches up to reality. We may also see more light-hearted fare dealing with the issues realistically, such as 28 Days and its look at alcohol rehab with recent Oscar winner Sandra Bullock. Sometimes, entertainment can inform.