Watch American Relapse

American Relapse is a 2018 documentary film that explores the opioid epidemic in America. The film is directed by Pat McGee and Adam Linkenhelt and is narrated by Frankie Holmes. The documentary follows two recovering drug addicts, Frankie and Allie, who run a sober living facility in Delray Beach, Florida. The film highlights their efforts to help others overcome addiction to opioids and other drugs.

The film opens with footage of the opioid epidemic in America, showing the devastating effects of the drug crisis on individuals, families, and communities. It then introduces the two main characters, Frankie and Allie, who both have a history of drug addiction. They have both come out on the other side, becoming sober and dedicating their lives to helping others overcome addiction.

Frankie and Allie run a sober living house in Florida called The Redemption House. The house provides recovering addicts with a safe and supportive environment where they can stay while they work towards long-term sobriety. The film follows the residents of the house, as well as the day-to-day operations of the facility.

One of the key messages of the film is the importance of harm reduction when it comes to opioid addiction. Harm reduction is an approach that focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of drug use, rather than simply trying to stop people from using drugs altogether. Frankie and Allie use this approach at The Redemption House, providing residents with clean needles, overdose prevention medication, and education on safe drug use. This approach is controversial in the United States, where drug policy is often based on abstinence-only models.

The film also explores the darker side of the opioid epidemic, showing how drug companies have played a significant role in creating and perpetuating the crisis. The filmmakers interview investigative journalist Greg Palast, who has extensively covered the role of drug manufacturers in the crisis. Palast explains how drug companies have used their influence to push opioid painkillers onto doctors, despite knowing the risks of addiction.

Throughout the film, we see the residents of The Redemption House go through their journey towards recovery. Some residents are successful, while others struggle to stay sober. The filmmakers do an excellent job of showing the complex nature of addiction and highlighting the fact that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. One of the most powerful moments of the film is when a resident relapses, highlighting the fact that addiction is not something that can be cured overnight.

The film also touches on the criminal justice system's role in perpetuating the opioid epidemic. We see how addiction often leads to criminal behavior, and how the criminal justice system often punishes drug addicts instead of providing them with the help they need. The film also shows how the war on drugs has failed to stop the opioid epidemic, and how it has led to an increase in violent drug-related crime.

In conclusion, American Relapse is a powerful and eye-opening documentary that sheds light on the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic in America. The film provides a raw and honest portrayal of addiction and the recovery process, while also highlighting the importance of harm reduction and taking a public health approach to drug policy. It is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the opioid crisis and the challenges of addiction recovery.

American Relapse is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 69.