Movies about substance-related and addictive disorders - Mental Health Related Films

Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.

Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?

While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.

We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.

 

Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index

 

What are Substance-related and addictive disorders?

Substance-related and addictive disorders are marked by intense drug-seeking behaviour, physiological and psychological dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal.

In the DSM-5 (diagnostic manual), the substance-related disorders encompass 10 separate classes of drugs: alcohol; caffeine; cannabis; hallucinogens (with separate categories for phencyclidine [or similarly acting arylcyclohexylamines] and other hallucinogens); inhalants; opioids; sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics; stimulants (amphetamine-type substances, cocaine, and other stimulants); tobacco; and other (or unknown) substances.

The essential feature of a substance use disorder is a cluster of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems. A diagnosis of a substance use disorder can be applied to all 10 classes of drugs except caffeine.

Overall, the diagnosis of a substance use disorder is based on a pathological pattern of behaviours related to use of the substance...

A: Impaired control over substance use. The individual may...

• take the substance in larger amounts or over a longer period than was originally intended.
• express a persistent desire to cut down substance use and may report multiple unsuccessful efforts to decrease or discontinue use.
• spend a great deal of time obtaining the substance, using the substance, or recovering from its effects.
• experience an intense desire or urge for the drug that may occur at any time but is more likely when in an environment where the drug previously was obtained or used.

B: Social impairment. Recurrent substance use may result in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home. The individual may continue substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities may be given up or reduced because of substance use. The individual may withdraw from family activities and hobbies in order to use the substance.

C: Risky use of the substance. This may take the form of recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous. The individual may continue substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

D: Tolerance is signalled by requiring a markedly increased dose of the substance to achieve the desired effect or a markedly reduced effect when the usual dose is consumed.

E: Withdrawal is a syndrome that occurs when blood or tissue concentrations of a substance decline in an individual who had maintained prolonged heavy use of the substance. Withdrawal symptoms vary greatly across the classes of substances, and separate criteria sets for withdrawal are provided for the drug classes.

 

Movies about Substance-related and addictive disorders

If we missed an essential film about substance-related and addictive disorders, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

 

Movie Title: Smashed - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman

Storyline: A married couple's bond, built on their mutual love for alcohol, faces a profound test when the wife decides to confront her substance abuse and embark on a journey of recovery and self-discovery.

 

 

Movie Title: Shrink - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer

Storyline: A high-profile Los Angeles psychiatrist who, amidst the Hollywood scene, grapples with his own personal demons and struggles with substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: A Million Little Pieces - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2018

Rated: 6.2

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Odessa Young

Storyline: A psychological drama film based on the semi-fictional book by James Frey, where a drug-addicted young man checks himself into a rehabilitation center to confront and overcome his struggles with substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: Krisha - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Krisha Fairchild, Alex Dobrenko, Robyn Fairchild

Storyline: A deeply personal indie drama that follows the titular character as she returns to her estranged family for a Thanksgiving gathering, unveiling the destructive effects of her past substance abuse and the challenges of reconciliation.

 

 

Movie Title: A Star Is Born - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2018

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott

Storyline: The poignant story of Jackson Maine, a renowned country music artist struggling with substance abuse, who discovers and falls in love with Ally, an aspiring singer-songwriter, as they navigate the challenges of fame, addiction, and their contrasting paths in the music industry.

 

 

Movie Title: Walk the Line - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2005

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin

Storyline: A biographical drama that follows the tumultuous life of musician Johnny Cash, delving into his rise to fame, troubled relationships, and battles with substance abuse as he becomes an iconic figure in country music history.

 

 

Movie Title: Home Run - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 5.9

Cast: Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown Pham, Charles Henry Wyson

Storyline: A professional baseball player struggling with substance abuse is compelled to enter rehabilitation in his hometown, where he finds redemption by confronting his troubled past and taking on the role of a coach for a Little League team.

 

 

Movie Title: Judy - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock

Storyline: Legendary performer Judy Garland, facing a career decline and struggling with substance abuse, arrives in London in 1968 to perform a series of sold-out concerts, showcasing her enduring talent and personal struggles.

 

 

Movie Title: Rocketman - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden

Storyline: The film explores the Elton John's struggles with substance abuse, including drug and alcohol addiction, as he seeks help and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.

 

 

Movie Title: When a Man Loves a Woman - Watch now on Prime

Released: 1994

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Meg Ryan, Andy Garcia, Ellen Burstyn

Storyline: A relationship is threatened when the wife develops a substance-related disorder, specifically alcoholism.

 

 

Movie Title: 28 Days - Watch now on Prime

Released: 2000

Rated: 6

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Viggo Mortensen

Storyline: A newspaper columnist struggles with substance abuse, specifically alcohol. For her to make any progress, she needs to acknowledge her addiction problem and she needs to accept counselling during her stay in the rehab.

 

 

Movie Title: Clean and Sober - Watch now on Prime

Released: 1988

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Michael Keaton, Kathy Baker

Storyline: A real estate salesman struggles with substance abuse. He wakes up to find a dead woman in his bed from a cocaine overdose. As he tries to hide from the police, he entered a drug rehab centre and accepts counselling from a former drug addict.

 

 

Movie Title: The Lost Weekend - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1945

Rated: 8

Cast: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry

Storyline: A man with a history of substance abuse starts to crave alcohol again. He starts to drink for consecutive days and plans to commit suicide.

 

 

Movie Title: Smash-Up The Story of A Woman - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1947

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, Marsha Hunt

Storyline: A woman struggles with substance abuse, specifically alcohol when her career went down while her husband became successful. This causes her to become irresponsible of their baby which will lead to a catastrophic incident.

 

 

Movie Title: Night Into Morning

Release: 1951

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Ray Millard, John Hoodia, Nancy Ragan

Storyline: A professor struggles with substance abuse, specifically from alcohol as a way of coping with his emotion after the death of his wife and son. After facing some problems, he plans to commit suicide.

 

 

Movie Title: Come Back, Little Sheba - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1952

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Shirley Booth, Terry Moore

Storyline: A man struggles with substance abuse, specifically from alcohol after the miscarriage of his wife. Their relationship is tested when they rented out their spare room to a young woman.

 

 

Movie Title: The Man with the Golden Arm - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1955

Rated: 7.5

Cast: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker

Storyline: A man with a history of substance abuse struggles as he tries to start a new life when his former workmates reemerge into his life.

 

 

Movie Title: Monkey on My Back - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1957

Rated: 7

Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Diane Foster, Paul Richards

Storyline: A hero from world war II struggles from substance abuse. After facing some serious trouble, his wife swore to stick by his side as he combats his illness.

 

 

Movie Title: Days of Wine and Roses - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1962

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, Charles Bickford

Storyline: A man who struggles with substance abuse marries his secretary and introduces her to the pleasure of drinking. Both get addicted, and their life starts to slip.

 

 

Movie Title: Long Day's Journey Into Night - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1962

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Ralph Richardson, Jason Robards

Storyline: A family struggles to keep their togetherness as they all suffer from substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: Trash - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1970

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Rickson Tevez, Eduardo Luis, Gabriel Weinstein

Storyline: A man who struggles with substance abuse lives with his girlfriend and lives his life by collecting trash, using drugs, and indulging in sex.

 

 

Movie Title: The Panic in Needle Park - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1971

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Al Pacino, Kitty Winn, Alan Vint

Storyline: A couple who struggles with substance abuse encounters bigger troubles as they both get more addicted to heroin.

 

 

Movie Title: Christiane F. - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1981

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Natja Brunckhorst, Eberhard Auriga, Peggy Bussieck

Storyline: A young girl's life starts to distort as she falls in love with a man who is into substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1982

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Jill Clayburgh, Nicol Williamson, Dianne Wiest

Storyline: A filmmaker struggles with her current project as she tries to resist substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: Veronika Voss (German) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1982

Rated: 8

Cast: Rozel Zech, Hilmar Thate, Cornelia Froboess

Storyline: An actress who struggles with substance abuse wants to get back in her career. She meets a journalist who suspects her doctor of doing something wrong.

 

 

Movie Title: Scarface - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1983

Rated: 8.3

Cast: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer

Storyline: A man whose dependent on substance abuse grows his drug business over Miami. As his opponents become larger and his paranoia hunts him, his life goes to its fall.

 

 

Movie Title: Sid and Nancy - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1986

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, David Hayman

Storyline: A bassist struggles when he meets a girl who is into substance abuse. their addiction leads them to a tragic end.

 

 

Movie Title: Drugstore Cowboy - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1989

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Matt Dillon, Kelly Lynch, James Le Gros

Storyline: A man who struggles with substance abuse tries to start a new life. But as he tries doing so, he realised it was harder than he thought it would be.

 

 

Movie Title: Rush - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1991

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sam Elliott

Storyline: A cop whose assignment is to hunt down a drug dealer struggles as he and his partner get into substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: The Crow - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Brandon Lee, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis

Storyline: A man who was murdered together with his fiancee was brought back to life by a crow. The crow leads him to the murderers: Tin-tin, Funboy, a man who is in substance abuse, T-bird, Skank, and Top-Dollar, the leader.

 

 

Movie Title: Ed Wood - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker

Storyline: A director who is a Hollywood outcast works with the formerly famous actor who is into substance abuse to create oddly and low-budget films.

 

 

Movie Title: Fresh - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Sean Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Samuel L. Jackson

Storyline: Fresh, a 12-year-old boy, is a drug dealer. He uses the skills he learned to free both himself and his sister from the hands of a local drug lord.

 

 

Movie Title: The Basketball Diaries - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1995

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Leonardo Di Caprio, Loraine Bracco

Storyline: A basketball star gets entangled with substance abuse. His only hopes to get back in the track of life are his friend and his mom.

 

 

Movie Title: Leaving Las Vegas - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1995

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Julian Sands, Elisabeth Shue

Storyline: A man who struggles with substance abuse went to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. He meets a prostitute who accepted him for who he was but unexpected things happen.

 

 

Movie Title: Trainspotting - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1996

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller

Storyline: A man who suffers from substance abuse wants to start a new life by moving to London. The struggles start when his friends reemerge into his life.

 

 

Movie Title: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1998

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Toby Maguire

Storyline: A journalist together with his lawyer indulges in substance abuse as they travel to Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race.

 

 

Movie Title: Gia - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1998

Rated: 7

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Fay Danaway, Elizabeth Mitchell

Storyline: After the death of the woman who helped her in her career, a successful model struggles with substance abuse which leads to a terrifying downfall.

 

 

Movie Title: In Vanda's Room - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2000

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Vanda Duarte, Lena Duarte, Zita Duarte

Storyline: Story of a woman who struggles with substance abuse who lives in a community that is about to be demolished.

 

 

Movie Title: Requiem for a Dream - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2000

Rated: 8.4

Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connells

Storyline: Four people were deeply affected by their substance abuse. Each of them worsens as they got caught up by their delusions, which will lead to an unfortunate track.

 

 

Movie Title: Bully - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2001

Rated: 7

Cast: Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl, Bijou Phillips

Storyline: After being bullied and abused by their friend who was into substance abuse, the group made a decision that would lead to shattering their lives.

 

 

Movie Title: Pure - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2002

Rated: 7

Cast: Harry Eden, Vinnie Hunter, Molly Parker

Storyline: A boy wants to keep his family altogether but struggles due to his mother who's struggling with substance abuse. Nevertheless, he does whatever it takes to keep them together.

 

 

Movie Title: The Salton Sea - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2002

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Godberg

Storyline: After the death of his wife, he struggles with substance abuse, and becomes involved in catching real murderers by posing as a junkie.

 

 

Movie Title: Enter the Void - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta, Cyril Roy

Storyline: A drug dealer lives his life in Tokyo with his sister and gets into substance abuse. After being killed from a bust, he starts to look out for his sister and seeks resurrection.

 

 

Movie Title: Flight - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2012

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Denzel Washington, Nadine Velaquez, Don Cheadle

Storyline: A pilot who saved a flight from crashing faces problems when an investigation exposes his influence of substance abuse during the incident.

 

 

Movie Title: The Wolf of Wall Street - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie

Storyline: A stockbroker along with his business partner made a successful growth of his firm. As his firms grow, they also grow in their substance abuse, which will lead to the downfall of his career.

 

 

Movie Title: My Name Is Bill W. - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1989

Rated: 7.3

Cast: James Woods, JoBeth Williams James Garner

Storyline: A successful stockbroker life's rolled down after a stock crash which, leads him to substance abuse, specifically with alcohol. He meets an alcoholic doctor and they form a support group to help alcoholic people sober.

 

 

Movie Title: Black Snake Moan - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2006

Rated: 7

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci

Storyline: A divorced man will face some troubles as he nurses a girl who is struggling with substance abuse after being away from her boyfriend.

 

 

Movie Title: Cadillac Records - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rated: 7

Cast: Beyonce, Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright

Storyline: Story of the success and hardships of the owner of a recording studio, and how he struggles with handling its singers, who are involved with substance abuse and others.

 

 

Movie Title: Prozac Nation - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2001

Rated: 6.3

Cast: Christina Ricci, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jessica Lange

Storyline: A young woman struggles with substance abuse as she suffers from depression when she enters her first year at Harvard.

 

 

Movie Title: The Killing - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1956

Rated: 8.1

Cast: Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards

Storyline: An ex-convict after being released plans his last heist before marrying his girlfriend. Everything goes as planned, but not until they arrived at the airport.

 

 

Movie Title: Amy (Documentary) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Amy Winehouse, Mitch Winehouse, Mark Ronson

Storyline: A documentary of ups and downs of a once successful singer who struggles with her relationships, family, and substance abuse.

 

 

Movie Title: Thirteen - Watch now on Prime

Relase: 2003

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Holly Hunter, Nikki Reed

Storyline: An honours student's life becomes a mess when she meets one of her school mate who introduces substance abuse and different forms of misbehaviour to her.

 

 

Movie Title: Devdas (Hindi) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2002

Rated: 7.6

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Storyline: A tragic love story of a man who was forbidden by his parents to marry the woman he loves. He struggles with substance abuse, which leads to a tragic result.

 

 

References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

More on substance-related disorders: https://www.wikigenes.org/e/mesh/e/6539.html

What are Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders?: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/substance-related-and-addictive-disorders/

Substance-related disorders according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance-related_disorder

 

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

 

Vincenzo Sinisi

 

 

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay