Risky Drinking, from HBO and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, takes a case-study look at the hazards of alcohol use and details the ways the medical community views and treats “risky drinkers.” Nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. engage in problem drinking at some point in their lives. Health professionals assess drinkers at risk on a spectrum ranging from low-risk to an alcohol use disorder ranging from mild to severe. Risky Drinking challenges viewers to recognize when their drinking may be putting them at risk and offers information to help millions of Americans lead healthier lives.
Risky Drinking was directed by Ellen Goosenberg Kent and produced by Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Perri Peltz. Perri Peltz directed the segment. Geeta Gandbhir was the supervising editor, and Alex Keipper was the editor. For HBO: senior producer, Sara Bernstein; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.
Risking Drinking Review
As someone who loves to consume content, I am always down for a good documentary. Risking Drinking has been on my list of things to watch for a while now. In 2005, when the A&E TV Series Intervention first started, and before I got sober, I could not stop watching those episodes and comparing myself to the characters I saw on screen. Over 15 years later, with a good chunk of consistent long-term sobriety under my belt, I’m still fascinated with stories about alcoholics.
This documentary follows the stories of four individuals with varying degrees of “risky-drinking” behaviors. Are you curious about what constitutes “risky” drinking behaviors? A woman has to drink more than three drinks in one day or more than seven drinks in a week. A man must have more than four drinks in one day or more than 14 in a week. The range of risk factors is from increased risk of violence, accidents, and self-injury to increased risk of sexual assault.
The Risky Drinkers
The documentary starts with Kenzie, a young working gal who binges on the weekends. She is very clearly painted as a binge drinker, which I quickly recognize as how I used to drink. When drinking, I had tons of fun until I wasn’t. That pretty much sums up Kenzie. She’s the fun “let’s take shots” girl that ends the night in tears. My jaw fell to the floor when she muttered these words to a friend in regards to the dangers of her drinking habits: ” “We haven’t gotten raped or murdered yet.” Sadly, there is probably a time in my youthful history when I would have said something so foolish.
Then there’s Mike, who’s facing severe domestic violence issues with his wife, and Noel, who’s using is affecting her daughters. The foursome is rounded out with Grandpa Neal, a late-stage alcoholic with a horrendous case of the shakes. This is not a warm and fuzzy documentary and will not deliver the happy ending you may hope for. We don’t even find out how their stories end. Since the film came out in 2016, I found this post on “Where are they now?” but I can’t easily see when it was published. I’m going to bet it was pre-pandemic.
To watch or not to watch, that is the question.
I don’t regret watching this film, but it’s not one you will want to watch more than once. I would recommend it to a friend or co-worker questioning their drinking habits.
The Sobees Movie Night Score: 4 out of 5
MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SOBER CURATOR: Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder Documentaries to Add to Your Playlist
MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SOBER CURATOR: Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night! Since you’re not binging on alcohol and drugs anymore, you’re going to need other activities to fill your time. Especially considering we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Get your binge on with movies and TV series that The Sober Curator recommends.
Pop the popcorn, grab your fav alcohol-free bevies or make your favorite mocktail, dish out your favorite treats and sweets, and settle in for some good old-fashioned cinema entertainment.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
