Addiction I Full Documentary I NOVA I PBS
Official Website: https://to.pbs.org/3lxnr4s NOVA | PBS
Hear firsthand from individuals struggling with opioid addiction and follow the cutting-edge work of doctors and scientists as they investigate why addiction is not a moral failing, but a chronic, treatable medical condition.
Easy access to drugs like heroin, fentanyl, and even prescription medications like OxyContin has fueled an epidemic of addiction—the deadliest in U.S. history. Now, science is revealing how addiction affects the brain, and top experts are gathering evidence about how we should address our drug problem, from embracing evidence-based treatments, to rethinking public policies.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:00 OxyContin Addiction Case Study in West Virginia
07:20 Opioid Addiction Case Study
10:40 What Causes Addiction?
21:00 The Dangers of Fentanyl: Case Study
28:19 Controlling Cravings for Opioids
36:04 Impacts of Addiction on Children
41:58 Action Being Taken to Combat Addiction
(Premiered Wednesday, Oct. 2018 at 9 PM ET)
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@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
These videos are interesting but no need to play the race card always.
@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Need insurance or its a no go, most drug addicts don't have insurance, my nephew went one day, they told him $75 he didn't have that kind of money, they sent him away, don't let this fool you, sounds good.
@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Fail a urine and you're out, suboxon methadone doesn't block other drugs, you need to be 100% dedicated or your are right back.
@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
One drug to another😢
@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
First they went for the herion then fentynol, my daughter was on herion and didn't know fentynol so that's why she died, you have to experience this to know.
@KatherineMonk-xu2so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
The problem here is doctors get you addicted then they take them away then that's when you become a real drug addict then that's when you die 😢
😢
@lindycash
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I really get annoyed when ppl use these studies of mice. There are much better studies similar to these, but the mice aren't isolated. There are studies that do the same thing, but with mice "communities" and the results are much different. The basic premise of what they're trying to explain is understandable, but it's just not an accurate study of human and/or mice behavior.
@janetkipina
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Anybody who tries to tell me addiction is a disease can go jump off a cliff. Try & tell that to a parent of a child dying of cancer. Cancer is a disease. Addiction is a CHOICE. & we need to 🛑 giving Narcan to addicts. If they want to die, LET THEM !!!!
@jaymeade9898
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I don’t believe in miracle drugs, but if I did, Buprenorphine would be one of them. The ease of administration combined with the ability to take the drug at home, on your own, without facing the stigma of visiting a methadone clinic make it the most effective drug on the market for opioid misuse disorders. The remaining barrier, if you would call it that, is how a patient prescribed Buprenorphine is treated at the local pharmacy. When you walk into most pharmacies with a prescription for Buprenorphine, the temperature drops 10 degrees. I have used Buprenorphine for 10 years now, and I have experiences in the past where I would ask a simple question about my refill, and was treated as though I was trying to obtain by false pretenses, and oftentimes wouldn’t even be looked in the eye by the pharmacy staff. I discussed this at length with my prescriber, and they agree and are trying to educate the local pharmacies regarding Buprenorphine therapy.
@kiwisprinkles1178
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Watching this for a class, but I'm in recovery myself. I celebrate 5 years on October 2, 2025. I love how you guys covered this, absolutely wonderful job. All the stories hit hard, and I'm eternally grateful that I'm where I am in life right now. <3
@ManGar-b8g
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
😢
@MissMixUndersood
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
The doctors are the new drug dealers.
@thedownlow101
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Most providers who are not in addiction medicine are too ignorant to seek out answers, education, or resources for their patients' wellbeing. It's criminal.
@sadstoryf00l.
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
its very sad …
@ohiorose
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Big Pharma and doctors did this to America. Huge corporations, lobbyists, politicians, and they all made billions of dollars, while we were placing our loved ones and friends into coffins. Yes, there is most certainly a genetic and environmental component, but as far as the opioid epidemic specifically…big pharmaceutical manufacturers and doctors… the same doctors that gave you the bills and the ones that ruthlessly cut you off, not step down little by little… so that sent people into the hands of the street drugs, mostly people that were not even part of that scene before. Just people trying to go to work, parent their children, go to school, relieve severe pain, ect…now the magic cure for addiction is what?? Another pill, another anti depressive, another morning at the methadone clinic waiting in line. Never forget what happened, what they did to us, and don’t just blindly trust a doctor. Do your own independent research before taking anything. Now it’s even hard to actually see a doctor in the US, it’s mostly nurse practitioners who have a limited scope on addiction medicine or mental health disorders. Do your homework, because if not a life of hell could be waiting for you.
@LiseBell-t5w
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
what happened to people's willpower? It doesn't seem that anybody has any anymore. Nobody forces you to stick a needle in your arm or eat 17 pieces of cake out tour efforts into working maybe working three jobs. I've been out I've been working paycheque to paycheck. I've had periods of time with very little food on the table. I never know what the next place was gonna be, but I just worked really hard and doug really deep and didn't look for a quick fix.
@Buster-im5so
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I appreciate this information.
@Nurse66
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I am almost 10 yrs clean….I detoxed at home and it was terrible!!!! But, it made me afraid to start back using…❤
@Videointerests
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
It's the sugar.
@IMJUSTMIKEADDICTION
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Addiction needs to be talked about more. We tend to ignore this group of people and it hurts them. Even doctors do not know how to help.
@DeanOhanlon-jd1xh
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
A very good documentary
@Sunshine-do3yv
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
It's called aniexty
@Ynnehz
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
we need a reaction paper from tsss
@OsvaldoCarmo-q1z
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I smoke joints and cigarillos drink coffee and drink sometimes and thats enough!!!
@GodsWordHealsAddictions
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Often times I wish I would have went to get some recovery help. But it took me to die 11 minutes and coma for 10 days to finally break free.
@GodsWordHealsAddictions
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Wow, my brain sought more and more drugs to use. One day from getting high on drugs, my heartbeat stopped 11 minutes and coma for 10 days. My message to the world is to seek help and get freedom now.
@GodsWordHealsAddictions
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
This drug epidemic is doing a horrible work on countries and human lives. My experiences with drug addiction was the worst. My heart stopped beating for 11 minutes one day.
@ZeusApollo-h6s
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Yu shouldn’t have a kid though if yu can’t stay sober, I resent my parents for that at least one my mom at least got sober for the most part and takes care her kids now and lives good but my dad side they all girls and can’t even read and are in high school and middle school 🤦♂️ but my dad doesn’t care jus does his drugs and shouldn’t b like that
@BruceEdwrdMacDonald
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
The American HEROS Won The Drug War The HEROS Rid America Of Evil Hydro Fives
@JasonJValhayes
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Try being given Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines at 14 years of age! Phenobarbital, Secobarbital. Ativan, Librium and Valium. Then 18 Demerol and omg…. I GOT CLEAN BY USING METHADONE then Suboxone…. Finally kept Benzodiazepines to deal with withdrawals, both physically and mentally, and eventually 1 – 2 years later, CLEAN!!! HOWEVER – I still take Xanax & Valium when I truly require it. For sleep, I was able to get SUPER LUCKY for treating Insomnia. Seconal comes in at about $3,599.98+ for 30 Capsules. By my choice, I am almost done and will be finished. My mind LOATHES DRUGS, it's the body. Vomiting. No Food. Unbelievable. I want to feel NATURALLY GREAT WITHOUT A BRAND-NEW $125,599.98 + Presidential Gold Day-Date Rolex because it's only a distraction.
I should, or if you could look for everything (non drug use, but a FANTASTIC LOOK,), The Best Dependency for $25,000.00 Daily? Lol…
I'll be fine. You would say it was brought up!!!
YOU STOP USING TO GET HIGH; YOU DON'T WANT TO GET SICK ANYMORE. THAT'S THE MAIN GOAL, NO MORE VOMITING, NO MORE DIARRHEA. NO MORE SWEATING, THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THERE'S NO EYE, THERE'S NO FEELING GOOD. THE ONLY FEELING GOOD IS THAT YOU'RE NOT SICK. AND THAT GOOD IS CONFUSED WITH HOW YOU USED TO FEEL WHEN YOU DIDN'T TAKE DRUGS. SO IT'S LIKE, I FEEL GOOD AND GREAT NOW. BUT YOU USED TO ALWAYS FEEL THAT WAY. YOU JUST NEVER FELT AS BAD, SO IT TRICKS THE BRAIN. IT'S A TERRIBLE THING. DRUGS ARE ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE, BUT I DO TAKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO TAKE IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE BECAUSE OF HOW YOUNG I WAS WHEN I WAS TAKING IT. THE DOCTOR WAS AN OLD MAN AND PRESCRIBED WHATEVER HE WANTED, AND IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A BARBITURATE. FOR A 14-YEAR-OLD, THAT'S LIKE FENTANYL, BUT WORSE BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY STOPPED MAKING BARBITURATES. FENTANYL IS A FANTASTIC DRUG USED IN THE RIGHT SETTING BY THE RIGHT DOCTORS. IT'S A DRUG THAT IS, IT WILL ALWAYS BE MANUFACTURED. BARBITURATES ARE NOT THEY'RE USED IN END-OF-LIFE CARE. IF ANYTHING BUT EXTREME PAIN IN the hospital, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THOSE PATCHES.ANYMORE!
@koisneurotypical
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I love that term… ‘opioid refugee.’ That is exactly what happened to me twelve years ago. I think I am still ‘red flagged’ in some emergency rooms. But now I have real pain- from end stage arthritis. What does someone like me do- I really do need pain management now, but I am practically black listed.
I can see how heroin addicts come to be.
Chronic pain is a horrific existence.
I am now trying Belbuca, but it’s not working. Hopefully something will help me.
This special is so important and just ages better with time.
@loraevans977
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
So the answer today is criminalizing homelessness???? And taking them to camps???
@Johnathankersis
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
This is bullcrap! How do you trsut the pharmaceutical industries to fix your drug problems… amd so soon??? Remember the oxytocin they said was non addictive. Stupid video!
@kepeliwa
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
This isn't new. Same ol doodoo. Supply and demand.
@John-w8b7l
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Meth is one of the hardest to treat because of how much dopamine is releases and how dopamine is related to survival and learning.
@rheijm9201
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
..with the gene remark..as opposed to Opel Astra people (Chevy Caprice in your case i guess) you have not a good response to o gasms but need more. Probably you haven t noticed there s hardly side effects to prolonged use, it is in fact assumed women can have multi multiple .never mind. PS nice coverband in september in Kroepoek fabriek vlaardingen
@carlosleiva5169
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Total lie. The side effect of opioids is addiction. 😮 They are made this way to keep their business going. 😢They know damn well the patient is going to be addicted.
@jasonwilson9207
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
That's the problem with any kind of addiction recovery there's never a bed or space 4 people to get in not to mention the way that you are treated when you go you always still look down upon and then if anything happens that you actually need medication afterwards they won't give it to you or they look at you like you're just there for that I've been 15 years clean from opiates I had a motorcycle accident and broke four bones in my ankle and one in my leg in the emergency room looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if they were going to give me anything for pain they did but 20 Vicodin fives aren't much for well the worst pain I've had in my life and then after that everyone was like no you you you you you can't your on Suboxone and I'm like I haven't taken that since the accident because of said pain so anyone who is an addict and stops doing pain medication regrets it at some point in their life later because their level of healthcare is drastically reduced
@StanBurns
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Treatment is not an answer look at the statistics . Facts Matter !
@glenntremblay5406
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Ok then…. make the drug companies pay to fix them… and take these products off the market.
@cbd8846
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Medicine in the US exists to serve Big Pharma. Pure and simple. People are just collateral damage.
@Scorcher-ii1ty
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Buprenorphine garbage. Useless medicine
@rjj479
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Trying to target dealers and importers is proving inefficient
Make actual drug use illegal and punishable with death sentence.
Drug usage would drop naturally.
@PeterPerri-j5o
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I've never been addicted to anything in my life
Anything I get into, I've been able to come out without help.
I've never done drugs nor alcohol although tasted alcohol and weed..
I pray everyone in need finds the help they need
@WairuaWilson
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Insight… actually making a damn difference!! Well done and much love all the way from Aotearoa NZ
@brianmarcum8306
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
God help our nation!
@traveler4848
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
I am 50 and never even tried any of them..I feel very sorry for the people who is doing drugs.
@parathink
October 2, 2025 at 9:04 am
Still relevant. I'm taking Naltrexone for Alcohol Addiction. It is working.
Comments are closed.