7 Substance Addiction Videos You Need to See

The Epidemic of Addiction

When we talk about substance addiction, there are so many questions. We know it’s become a huge epidemic in the US and we know that thousands of people are suffering and struggling with substance addiction, either personally or through watching a loved one go through this. You don’t need to see substance addiction videos to know that we’re facing a crisis in America.  So we know that there is clearly a problem; but how do we fix it? Where do we start and, perhaps more importantly, how do we cope while we search for these solutions?

Addressing the Need for Education

Here at The Discovery House, we do our best to make sure we are aware of all news related to the struggle of addiction. We know how hard finding information can be, which is why we strive to produce content that spreads messages of inspiration, hope, and truth, and in the process, help you or others struggling with a substance abuse disorder find help.  Of course, we definitely are not saying we have all the answers; but we believe that the path to finding these answers starts with education. And as we learn more about addiction and addiction treatment, we hope to spark more conversation around this disease and how, both as individuals and as a community, can prevent and cure it.

How The Discovery House is Helping to Raise Awareness

In our search for knowledge on substance abuse and treatment, we have come across a multitude of educational resources. Some of the easiest to digest, of course, are informative videos. So, in an effort to spread awareness and help others learn what we have, we put together a list of our favorite (and most popular) videos that cover all corners of substance addiction.

Substance Addiction Videos that Raise Awareness

These Babies Were Born Addicted to Drugs

Each year, thousands of babies are being born addicted to opiates, and the problem has not shown signs of getting any better. Women who are addicted prior to conceiving will oftentimes continue their drug abuse throughout their pregnancy.  This video demonstrates the severity of this growing problem, not just for the babies and their mothers, but for their families as well. While certainly a very sad and difficult video to watch, it shines a very important light on a subject that doesn’t regularly get much attention.

Johann Hari and Chasing the Scream

Addiction (a collaboration with Johann Hari)

As a people, we are growing increasingly more visual; so, naturally, when this animated video about addiction was uploaded by youtube account Theatrum onto the social media and video sharing platform, it went viral.  This video- an animated adaptation of Johann Hari’s Johann Hari’s New York Times best-selling book ‘Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs-” explains in simple terms what addiction is, how it can happen, and more importantly what we can do about it.  Hari and Theatrum’s collaboration also challenges the way drug and alcohol addiction is often perceived and offers up the notion that “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection.”

While it has had mixed reviews, we still think it is a great (and free) tool for understanding the behavioral and psychological factors that can influence how an individual can develop an addiction to substances, as well as for opening new doors to finding solutions to this problem in the future.

The Importance of Connection for Sobriety

For many treatment centers and programs, human connection and support systems are an essential part of the recovery process.  Whether in the form of support groups, individual and/or group therapy, outside support from loved ones, etc., social interaction and external guidance can support a foundation for recovery that those suffering from addiction may not have on their own.  This is why our facilities and treatment programs here at The Discovery House pride ourselves on being able to offer dedicated, individualized care to all our residents. We believe that you, as a client, deserve to feel valued and prioritized on your path to recovery, and our treatment options reflect this belief.  If you want to learn more about what makes The Discovery House a top choice for those seeking addiction treatment, simply visit our website here.

Substance Addiction Videos for Education

The Power of Vulnerability

In this video, American researcher Brené Brown delivers a TED Talk on “The Power of Vulnerability,” and the importance of human connection and our capacity as a species to empathize with and love others, as well as the importance of having a sense of belonging. Most importantly, Brown’s discussion of how the inability to “selectively numb” these feelings has led to such a drastic increase in addictions and substance abuse creates new ways in which we can learn and understand why an individual may develop a substance use disorder.  Furthermore, with this new perspective of the emotional causes of excessive drug use, we can begin to extend these feelings of empathy and love to these individuals and better help them in seeking addiction treatment.

Listening to Shame

In an extension of her previous Ted Talk on “The Power of Vulnerability,” Brown went on a quest to better understand an emotion familiar to all human beings; shame.  She talks about the link between shame, vulnerability, and the fear of disconnection. She further explains how these very common, yet incredibly isolating feelings may be linked to some of the reasons that someone might start to develop a substance use disorder.

CDC Issues Guidelines

Staying up-to-date with new and updated guidelines and regulations regarding medical and pharmaceutical services is imperative when discussing substance use and how to prevent and treat this issue. The CDC also regularly presents the latest information on Naloxone and other means of preventing overdose, which can be crucial to know for regular opioid users or their loved ones.  This video highlights new guidelines released by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which encourage doctors to avoid prescribing opioids to their patients. Instead, medical professionals are being advised to offer treatment alternatives such as physical therapy or non-addictive painkillers.  For more information on the CDC’s guidelines on Opioid administration and usage, simply visit their website.

The Risks of Opioid Usage

While opioids can have many benefits for pain relief, as well as versatile anesthetic purposes, these are usually short-term and can put an individual at risk of forming an addiction to them. The goal of these guidelines is to attempt to prevent patients from becoming too dependent on their prescribed medications while finding safer prescriptions and solutions for their medical ailments.

Substance Addiction Videos for Inspiration

Bam Margera Says Enough is Enough: Getting Sober on Family Therapy

For individuals leading a life in the spotlight, substance use disorders are, unfortunately, quite common. In the case of skateboarder/stunt performer and TV personality, Brandon Cole “Bam” Margera, the struggle of addiction is all too familiar.  In this video, Margera reveals how, after losing his best friend and former co-star, Ryan Dunn, he went on a bender of drinking excessively and participating in dangerous behavior. But after his mother expressed how worried she was about losing him, the star decided to turn his life around and start on his path to getting sober.  He is now starring on “Family Therapy,” a reality television show where he seems to be edging closer to life in recovery.  We feel this video not only highlights the importance of support from family and loved ones when starting the journey to better health, but also serves as a source of inspiration for other individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment.

Jodie Sweetin: From Addiction To Recovery To ‘Fuller House’

When Full House ended its eight-year run on ABC in 1995, Jodie Sweetin, who portrayed the character of Stephanie Turner in the show, was just 14 years old. As someone who grew up on the set and in the spotlight from a very young age, this sudden unemployment and separation from both her on-screen and chosen off-screen family had a drastic impact.   In this video, Sweetin recalls how chaotic her life became, and how she coped with these sudden changes and the mental strain they caused with drinking, and later the use of crystal meth. As a celebrity advocate for recovery, Sweetin has always been open about her struggle with addiction, having shared her story at multiple nationwide events over the years.  She continues to help others through the struggle and stigma of addiction, and stories like hers serve as a source of inspiration that recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is possible.

Addiction and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

For those struggling with addiction, it is not uncommon for them to have co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Because abusing drugs and alcohol can cause extensive damage to the brain, only receiving treatment for one issue and not the other may lower your chances of recovery. For more information on this, see our blog on “Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders,” or call us today at 1-818-452-1676.

Finding the Best Treatment Options for You 

If you or a loved one found these addiction videos to be informative, inspiring, or comforting (or hopefully even all of the above) in your own struggle with addiction, we highly encourage you to contact our support team here at The Discovery House today. 

Our staff is dedicated to supporting you on your path to recovery and achieving a better, healthier life. We know taking the lead and finding a solution to ending your addictions can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be! Let us help find the best treatment options for you today, by simply calling us at 1-818-452-1676.