Watching movies about getting sober can help motivate you while going through the hardest times of recovery. These movies are funny, heart warming and entertaining but also contain lessons and messages that can help you on your journey. While you want to avoid too many passive or sedentary recovery activities like watching TV, you get a free pass on these movies.
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Some of the reasons to watch movies about getting sober include:
- Identification with characters: Watching movies about recovery can help you identify with the characters who are also in recovery. This can help you feel less alone and more understood.
Inspiration: These movies can inspire you to stay sober and continue on your path to recovery. Seeing characters overcome their struggles and challenges can give you hope that you can do the same.
Education: Movies about addiction and recovery can provide educational insights into the challenges you are facing. They can help you understand the nature of addiction and how to overcome it.
Coping strategies: These movies depict characters who are learning how to cope with triggers and temptations. This can provide you with new coping strategies that you can apply in your own recovery.
Validation: Watching movies about recovery can validate your own experiences and feelings. You may find that the movie accurately represents your own struggles, which can be reassuring and comforting.
Explore Different Sobriety Strategies
It’s important to note that while movies can be helpful, they should not be relied upon as your sole source of support or inspiration in your recovery. It’s essential to use other strategies like affirmations, mindfulness, physical exercise, breathing exercises, cold water therapy and eating a healthy, nutritious diet to help you stay on track. My blog about getting sober details my favorite sobriety strategies and how to implement them. And my blog about dealing with and overcoming depression is a must read for anyone starting out on their recovery journey.
My List of the Best Movies About getting Sober
1. 28 Days Starring Sandra Bullock, Dominic West and Viggo Mortensen
This is one of my favorites! 28 Days is a 2000 comedy-drama featuring the super cute Sandra Bullock with Viggo Mortensen and Dominic West. In the movie Sandra’s character Gwen is sent to rehab for alcoholism after a DUI. The movie depicts her struggles with addiction, as well as her experiences in rehab and her journey towards recovery. Dominic West plays a great douchey boy friend! His character shows that sometimes dealing with the people we love can be the hardest thing about recovery.
Watching 28 Days while getting sober is beneficial for several reasons. The movie accurately portrays the challenges of addiction and the process of recovery. This can give you validation while experiencing similar struggles. It also shows the importance of seeking help and support. Gwen’s recovery is aided by the community she finds in rehab. The film highlights the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and making amends. These a both important steps in the recovery process.
28 Days is a relatable, funny and inspiring movie for those in recovery or those seeking to better understand the challenges of addiction and recovery.
2. When a Man Loves a Woman with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia
When a Man Loves a Woman is a 1994 romantic drama. The movie follows the story of a married couple, Alice and Michael Green, as they navigate through Alice’s struggle with alcoholism and its impact on their relationship and family.
This film is a great recovery watch as it portrays the real and devastating effects of addiction on individuals and their loved ones. It also highlights the importance of seeking professional help and support to overcome addiction and rebuild relationships.
The movie showcases the power of love and the willingness to fight for a relationship, even in the face of adversity. It presents a message of hope and perseverance. The movie encourages you to stay committed to your journey and never give up on yourself or your loved ones.
When a Man Loves a Woman is a powerful and emotional film that offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction or in recovery.
3. Rocketman Starring Taron Egerton
Rocketman is a 2019 biographical musical film that tells the story of Elton John’s rise to fame, his struggles with addiction, and his journey to recovery. Taron Egerton plays a great young Elton John and the movie is packed full of great music!
The film is a good watch for people in recovery as it portrays the harsh realities of addiction and the impact it can have on an individual’s life, including relationships, career, and health.
Rocketman also highlights the importance of seeking help and support to overcome addiction. In the movie Elton John goes through various forms of therapy to address the root causes of his addiction and improve his mental health. The film also showcases the power of music as a tool for healing and self-expression. As with many musical and creative people, Elton John channels his struggles and emotions into his music.
Rocketman is a moving and inspiring film that offers a message of hope and resilience for those in recovery. It demonstrates the importance of seeking help, the power of self-expression, and the possibility of rebuilding a fulfilling life after addiction.
4. Wild Starring Reese Witherspoon
Wild is a 2014 biographical drama film that tells the story of a young woman named Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon) The movie follows her as she embarks on a 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail to cope with personal loss and addiction.
The film is a good watch as it portrays the journey of self-discovery and personal transformation that can occur through the process of overcoming addiction.
Wild highlights the importance of confronting and processing past traumas. In the movie Cheryl Strayed confronts her own struggles with addiction and her personal history of loss and trauma. The film demonstrates the power of nature as a healing force, as Cheryl finds solace and strength in the beauty and challenges of the wilderness.
Wild is a powerful and inspiring film that offers a message of hope and resilience. It shows that recovery is a journey that requires courage, perseverance, and a willingness to confront past traumas. The movie also shows how that transformation can lead to a renewed sense of self and a more fulfilling life.
5. A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga
A Star is Born is a romantic musical drama. The movie tells the story of a seasoned musician named Jackson Maine who discovers and falls in love with a talented yet unknown singer named Ally. As Ally’s star begins to rise, Jackson’s own struggles with addiction and his declining career threaten their relationship.
The film is a powerful exploration of love, ambition, addiction, and the music industry. It features stunning performances by Cooper and Gaga, as well as a supporting cast that includes Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle.
A Star is Born is a great film to watch because it portrays the devastating effects of addiction on relationships and personal well-being. It also shows the power of love and support in overcoming addiction and the importance of seeking help. The film’s themes of perseverance, redemption, and the pursuit of creative passion will inspire and motivate you to continue with and succeed on your sobriety journey.
6. Flight Starring Denzel Washington
Flight is a 2012 drama that follows the story of a commercial airline pilot named Whip Whitaker. In the movie, Whip saves a plane from crashing due to a mechanical failure, but is later found to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol during the flight. The movie depicts Whip’s struggles with addiction and the legal and personal consequences he faces as a result of his actions.
As Whip deals with the aftermath of the plane crash, he is forced to confront his addiction and the damage it has caused in his personal and professional life. The movie explores the themes of addiction, guilt, and redemption as Whip attempts to come to terms with his past and work towards a better future.
The movie is a powerful portrayal of the devastating effects of addiction and the difficult journey of recovery. It shows the impact that addiction can have on your life, relationships, and career. The movie also depicts the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and seeking help to overcome addiction.
Flight is an excellent movie to watch because it provides an honest and realistic depiction of addiction and recovery. While serving as a source of inspiration, it emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility, seeking help, and making difficult choices in your recovery process.
7. My Name is Bill W. Starring James Woods and James Garner
My Name is Bill W. is a 1989 biographical drama that tells the story of Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The movie follows Bill’s struggles with alcoholism and his journey towards sobriety, as well as the creation of the AA program.
Bill, played by James Woods, battles with alcoholism and experiences the devastating effects of addiction. He eventually seeks help and meets Dr. Bob Smith, played by James Garner, and together they create the AA program. James Woods won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role in the movie.
The movie is a powerful portrayal of the challenges of addiction and the hope and healing that can come from recovery. It shows the importance of seeking help, connecting with others who have experienced addiction, and the benefits of living a sober life.
My Name is Bill W. is an excellent movie for people in recovery because it provides an inspiring and realistic portrayal of addiction and recovery. It can serve as a source of motivation for those in recovery by showing them that recovery is possible and that there is hope for a better future.
8. When Love is Not Enough Starring Winona Ryder
When Love is Not Enough is a 2010 biographical drama. The film is based on the true story of Lois Wilson, the co-founder of Al-Anon, a support group for the loved ones of alcoholics. The movie follows Lois’s struggles as she tries to support her husband Bill and his struggle with alcoholism. This is the same Bill W. from the movie above, My Name is Bill W., a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
As Bill’s addiction worsens, Lois, played by Winona Ryder, feels increasingly isolated. She struggles to cope with the effects of her husband’s addiction on their marriage and her life. She eventually finds support and solace in the form of Al-Anon, where she connects with other people who have experienced similar struggles with their loved ones.
The movie is a powerful portrayal of the impact that addiction can have on loved ones and the importance of support and connection in recovery. It shows the challenges of addiction from the perspective of a loved one. The movie does a great job portraying the struggles they face in trying to support their partner while also taking care of themselves.
When Love is Not Enough is an excellent movie for people in recovery because it provides an empathetic and realistic portrayal of the impact of addiction on loved ones. It can serve as a source of comfort for those who have experienced similar struggles It is also a great reminder of the importance of seeking support and taking care of yourself.
What are Your Favorite Movies About Getting Sober?
These movies are great but they are also fairly generic. What inspires and motivates you most in your sobriety journey? I love watching hero movies with a strong, competent male lead. I also enjoy watching surfing clips and films. These motivate me to stay in shape, and keep me excited about thriving in sobriety. Surfing (and being heroic) is one of my favorite activities that my drinking self just cannot do. Think about what excites and motivates you to get sober and healthy. Make up your own list of motivational clips and movies and let me know some of your favorites in the comment section below.
Movies About Getting Sober Will Inspire and Motivate You
Watching movies about getting sober can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation to help you on your sobriety journey. Watching characters overcome similar struggles can help give you a sense of hope and encouragement, and show you that recovery is possible.
These movies can also provide education and information about addiction and recovery. Helping you understand the nature of addiction and the different treatment options available, as well as the importance of support systems and self-care.
Movies About Getting Sober to Entertain and Relax
Most of all, watching these movies about getting sober is a great form of entertainment and relaxation. It can provide a healthy distraction from the challenges of recovery and can help you focus on something positive and uplifting.
I wish you the best of luck and hope these movies provide you with inspiration, support, education, and entertainment as you work towards healing and rebuilding your life.
Happy watching!