sanderson-804-24468 The purpose of the documentary is honorable in my opinion, and I agree with the basic tenants that secrecy of having the disease induces a level of shame and that shame is a hindrance to recovery. That said, the movie says very clearly that recovery success is found within 12 step groups and I believe it also delicately explored the varied opinions and interpretations on the 12 step tradition of anonymity. In my 12 step experience, anonymity relates directly to the meetings and the experiences shared within those meetings as well as who attends the meetings. "What you hear here, let it stay here." In my opinion, one of the basic strengths of 12 step meetings is the safety of shared experiences in complete confidence which provides needed hope and trust. I didn't think the movie was challenging that at all. I thought the movie was more about life outside of meetings and the destructive social consequence of feeling like having this particular disease needs to be a secret. I also thought they did a good job showing the discrimination that exists within the medical and insurance industry with regards to treating the disease. Cancer recovery success (and a host of other diseases) would not be what it is if it was treated with the same lack of urgency that addiction is treated with. One can't help but wonder what kind of monetary consequences are keeping the corporate, government, medical and insurance world from stepping up to the facts as they are. The movie is thought provoking to anyone with a care about our future as a society because addiction affects all of us ...it raises many questions that we might want to think about. How many homeless people are homeless because of untreated addiction? Why do we treat disease of the body differently than disease of the brain? How can we raise awareness among young people about the likelihood of later addiction among early drug users? So many more...very good movie.

jojomkstone I am so happy to be a part of this movement! People in recovery deserve to be treated with respect this same way any other person with a disease is. Please go see it or become a team captain to get it to your town. I di, and we sold 176 seats! Everyone was fired up when the left and want to organize to help reduce the stigma. AWESOME!I bought the DVD of the movie and I am showing it to people who couldn't make it the night it played at the movies!As a result of this movie, people all over the Untited States are now organizing so our voices can be heard! Even Bill W. shared his story to help AA when he thought it was appropriate. Well, I think now it is more appropriate than ever! Go see the film!

ncd86 As a mother of a daughter who is two years into long term recovery from prescription pills, I am thankful that Greg made this movie. It gives families hope that their child can have a productive life and career. It is as difficult to deal with the stigma attached to addiction as it was to recognize the problem and find treatment. My fear was that she had limited her possibilities for career and family but that is just not true. She is finishing a degree in Social Work and will start her Masters next summer. She studied abroad this summer in Gulu, Uganda and is helping to translate a publication for a major support organization into their language which has 20 million people who speak it. Watching the movie showed me lots of others who have experienced happiness and productive lives. I only hope that the general public has a chance to view it. It is still difficult to deal with the reaction of friends who don't have a clue because so many have been silent about their recovery.There was an added benefit to the movie in that it helped educate me on the history of addiction and recovery. I thought that I was aware because I have been developing a cell phone app for families of people seeking recovery but I learned about work being doing in recovery of which I was totally unaware. I also met Carol McDaid who was a heroin addict as a teenager but as a lobbyist in DC has instrumental in the passage and implementation of the parity legislation.I highly recommend that everyone watch this film!

wolfheart-804-71702 *this review may contain spoilers*This movie is fantastic. Anyone who says otherwise didn't get the meaning of the film. Its not 'bashing' AA programs, it is just pointing out some flaws in the overall attitude towards addiction. Everything on this earth has flaws, nothing is perfect, and instead of lashing out against the constructive criticism, recoverers should be embracing it with a want to make the whole system better for the addicts of 2013. Bill Wilson was an enlightened man, I think he would embrace the need for change, knowledge, and understanding. I think just like in science, where definitions and theories are always changing, so should our treatments once we gain more insight and knowledge into psychology, medicine, and recovery. We're Not Afraid. To Take a Stand.Great movie. Highly recommend it.