The Anonymous People

I first watched this documentary several yeas ago. I am a clinical social worker, and was showing the film to a group of men struggling with drug addiction. My clients, who were court mandated to treatment and generally had limited interest in recovery, responded well to the film. They found the testimonials relatable and genuine. The film does not attempt to over-dramatize any of the stories or make them unnecessarily shocking, but rather allows the featured individuals to tell their stories in their own way with their own voices.I recently purchased the film for myself, this time showing it to staff at my agency for education on some of the stigma that people in recovery face. Staff also found it to be engaging and informative, Many of them said that it shifted their perspective on why some people are so guarded about substance abuse, and made them want to be more involved in raising awareness and fighting the stigma of addiction.Overall this film has a lot to offer to anyone who is interested in learning more about addiction and recovery, regardless of one's own experience with addiction.

I use this for my substance abuse group that I lead to share with clients the importance of being open and transparent in their recovery. We talk about changing language and focusing on their positives. They are not alone and get to see that in this documentary.This is also one of the more recent documentaries on substance abuse recovery, and is very well-done. Broad strokes are used appropriately, with more detailed information sprinkled in beautifully. Hope is the end result.

I am a counselor with a Substance Abuse treatment organization and needed to update the materials. My group members enjoyed this and stated that it is good information.

I almost passed on it after watching the trailer. The film was really well done. I'm glad I took the chance and watched it.

For months in my recovery, I thought I was going crazy. I would tell people, you have to be open, honest and public about your recovery. Never made any sense to me, people lie and hide their addiction so continue lying and hiding your recovery? People should be proud of their recovery and yet so many people I’ve seen in AA, even after decades are miserable, bitter and shamed into hiding their addiction. That’s not recovery, recovery is about being happy and living a rich, full life. This movie helped me understand that people in fact are out there like me, they are public and open about their addiction and recovery as they should be. So many negative reviews of this documentary seem to be pro AA, that’s not the point of the documentary itself and it’s sad that people so pro AA still can’t get the fact that AA simply doesn’t work, it’s not a problem with the members, it’s not a problem with the order of operation, it’s simply doesn’t work. Stats don’t lie, people do and believing in AA and it’s traditions is a sure fire way to failure and if you manage to be one of the lucky few who manage to recover in AA, the norm seems to be bitter, angry and a resentful life, if that’s your version of recovery, you can keep it. Great documentary and I hope people don’t get too drawn into the perspective that it’s anti AA, it’s simply a viewpoint that is different and that people really should take to heart. Very well done.

I am a member of several 12 Step groups, the first of which I joined 38 years ago, when I was 20. Recovery saved my life, changed my life and continues to expand life and how to live it. Anonymity being the spiritual foundation of the 12 Step movement is a principle of recovery that I have practiced and believe in. True anonymity has nothing to do with shame or secrecy. True anonymity places principles above personality and safeguards recovery from the ego, giving the credit of recovery to the movement of spiritual awakening. And... the points this film makes are important, crucial actually, to carrying the message in this day and age. That as we have learned more what addiction is, and what the repercussions are to society on so many different levels, getting that information into the mainstream psyche is essential on all those levels. The questions are healthy. This film asks them and advocates an inspiring solution. I recommend watching it.

This movie inspired me to become a Peer Recovery Coach.

This documentary is life changing for people in recovery

Absolutely Brilliant !!!

This is an excellent dvd and I highly recommend for anyone struggling to understand and recovery of addictions.

Love this documentary. I am in recovery and loved it

Came 2 days ahead of time and very informative. They did a good job with this !!! Sue:)

This really is a must see for everyone to understand addiction and mental health, even if you haven't been touched by it