Elizabeth Vargas is an American television journalist best known as the co-anchor of World News Tonight and 20/20 on for ABC. She was at the top of her field for decades, known for her strong reporting around the world. Despite having support, resources, and what most would call a privileged life, Elizabeth Vargas says she just could not stop drinking. After struggling with and hiding an alcohol use disorder, she opens up in an interview with Diane Sawyer, discussing what alcoholism did to her life.
This documentary primarily follows a young woman named Rachel, who struggles with the concept of alcoholism, believing that, although she engages in binge drinking, she is not an alcoholic. According to her, "They always say, it's not alcoholism until after College. College is like the excuse to binge drink." There are a few other people who share their stories as well, but they are already past the point of recognizing their problems and have sought help.
In this intimate BBC2 documentary, Adrian Chiles takes a hard look at his relationship with alcohol. He wants to understand why he and many others don’t see themselves as addicted, even though they struggle to enjoy life without drinking. Adrian,…
Drinking for England explores Britain’s drinking culture in the 1990s and the deep-rooted connection many Brits have with alcohol. It follows the lives of heavy drinkers who express their often tragic—yet occasionally humorous—experiences through poetry and song. Among them are…
It is commonly believed that binge drinking culture in Britain is their most serious drinking problem. However, experts in Britain’s Secret Drinkers, featured on the BBC programme ‘Tonight’, discuss a different concern – at home drinkers. According to a study…
This Nature of Things documentary follows Mike Pond, a therapist managing his alcohol addiction. He was only ever offered one treatment after losing his practice, his house, his family, and becoming homeless: Alcoholics Anonymous. This abstinence-based treatment approach did not work for him, so…
A Royal Hangover provides insight into the United Kingdom’s reliance on alcohol and the history of their binge drinking culture. In comparison to other countries, binge drinking is more socially acceptable in the UK. Unfortunately, they spend about 21 billion pounds…
This documentary delves into the drinking culture of Russia, with a focus on the country’s deep-seated dependence on vodka. The film takes viewers on a tour of both legal and illegal alcohol distilleries, highlighting the differences in manufacturing and distribution requirements…
Follow Guyon Espiner, an award-winning journalist living in New Zealand, as he talks with several individuals who provide insight into the effects of alcohol and drinking culture, specifically the associated harms felt by community members. He even speaks to someone from…
This movie features Barry Pepper as Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and Winona Ryder as Lois Wilson, who subsequently created Al-Anon. It was written by William G. Borchett who was close friends with Lois. The novel and film “describe in compelling detail Lois’s comfortable beginnings, her attraction to a clever and…
