Russell Brand from Addiction to Recovery - Factual Program Review

Russell Brand from Addiction to Recovery was a 2012 documentary broadcasted on BBC Three. The description on IMDB reads: "After the death of his friend Amy Winehouse from an overdose, Russel Brand looks back on his own years of addiction and wants to show that not all addicts turn out the same way."

It was written by Brand and directed by Ross Wilson. It follows Brand on his expository journey concerning his own demons with drug addiction and how he overcame them, as well as his investigation into other drug addicts' lives, attempting to offer a sympathetic view towards alcoholism and addiction, towards a more mainstream audience. Two years later he would continue with the documentary Russell Brand: End the Drugs War.

The program opens with Brand talking candidly about his past experience with drug usage and the death of close friend Amy Winehouse, giving context as to why he decided to take on the project of documenting 'Addiction to Recovery'. I find the opening to be a fair way of giving the audience a prologue to work with when getting down to basically as to why Brand decided to commit to this program. It is straight-forward, honest and clear in intention.

As for the rest of the program, we see Brand discuss addiction and its impact with an expert as well as having a rather tense discussion with Dr. Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of Practitioners. This scene is no doubt to cause a split between the viewing audience, depending on their allegiance or views on the issue. Dr. Gerada, of course, is an expert in her field and is more in line for a practical way of combating addiction. This is in contrast with Brand's beliefs and worldview, and it comes from a former user, who advocates for programs to help those addicted through a spiritual manner. The viewer is left to decide who they are more aligned with.

Personally, I see the tangibility in both arguments, with Brand's arguing for a more appropriate and effective way of combating addiction, while also taking into account the doctor's expertise. However, the abstinence vs. methadone argument seemingly betray's Brand here, who seemingly contradicts himself. He goes on to talk with one Professor Neil McKeganey who makes for a strange bedfellow, as he is on record for not agreeing with Brand's views that drug users should be decriminalized when the usage itself is.

His argument against the use of methadone is in contrast to that of the World Health Organisation’s view, a view that concludes that methadone is an essential medication; there’s evidence that methadone can reduce HIV risk, drug use, and criminality. Of course, this does not take away from the fact that those on methadone abuse it on top of other drugs, and thus can pose a danger to ones recovery. 

Overall I thought the documentary was done from a production stand-point, and offered us an opinionated take from Russell Brand concerning addiction to drugs and alcohol. As for my personal opinion, I am still at odds as to what I feel towards the opinion of Brand and his opposition. Regardless, it left me thinking about my own opinion concerning the issues of drugs, and for that I applaud it.