You don’t like the statement above. Maybe because it makes you angry. Maybe because you think it’s untrue. Maybe because someone in your life has been affected by cancer.

Now, replace the word “cancer” with “addiction.” Are you as outraged?

No? 

That’s why First Call, a recovery and prevention non-profit in Kansas City, is starting a national movement to raise awareness that addiction is a disease and to dispel the myth that it’s a choice. While those fighting other diseases receive sympathy and support, those battling addiction receive neither. It’s unfair. And it makes recovery more difficult and relapse more likely.

Through a series of powerful videos, we’re forcing people to rethink their preconceptions about addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
If you or anyone in your life has ever been affected by addiction, please watch the videos below. We’re launching these videos publicly on the 29th and need your help to spread the word that addiction is a disease.

Will you help us stop the cycle of shame that prevents addicts and their loved ones from receiving the help they need?

Watch: Parkinson's Is a Choice

In a fairytale setting, the movie explains the disastrous war on drugs by telling the story of a dragon banished from an ancient kingdom, and how people that spent time with the dragon were thrown in jail.

Produced by and for the Global Commission on Drug Policy

Jack, a recovering alcoholic and divorced father-of-two, has to look after his kids on New Year’s weekend.

Directed by Benjamin Rutkowski.

Official selection of the 2012 Slamdance Film Festival. Made at NYU.

Film School Shorts is a production of KQED

A 360* collaboration between GSN SkinWar's champion Natalie Fletcher and young filmmaker Kelsey Sante. A family falls victim to the vicious cycle of addiction in a children's drawing brought to life. According to the Child Welfare League of America, more than 8 million children in the United States have a parent who is addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Two Best Friends. Facing Addiction Together.

Two Best Friends, 7,896 Miles, 22 States, 31 Days, a National Party Convention, and a 35-Foot RV. The Journey to Change the Way America Views and Treats Addiction Is Just Beginning.

Via AddictionXAmerica

It’s Chemistry Not Character

It's time to change the conversation about opioid addiction. It's the chemistry of the brain not the character of the individual that makes them an addict. It's chemistry not character. Thank you for watching, sharing, and subscribing.

Learn more at ItsChemistryNotCharacter.com

Authorized by the estate of DJ AM, Kerslake’s film is a comprehensive and compassionate look at one of the world’s first truly superstar DJs. DJ AM experienced meteoric success through both raw talent and sheer determiation, overcoming what for others might have been staggering adversity before tragically succumbing to the demons that dogged his life and career.

Through The Lens—an initiative by the non-profit Broken Light Collective—is a cross-platform mental health awareness campaign that is running from May 1st-31st for Mental Health Month. The campaign features a series of videos created by Broken Light Collective contributors from around the globe, all of whom have been affected by mental illness. Many of these videos also give a glimpse into the therapeutic power of photography.

Visit Broken Light Collective for more from Carrie and other photographers affected by mental illness.

Skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi had everything: money, fame, and a career. After seven years doing crystal meth every day, he hit rock bottom and realized that he had to make a choice. He is now 11.5 years sober and hopes that by telling his story, others will be inspired to make the right choice.

Stories of Hope / The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

How NOT to talk to kids about drugs.

We Made History!

The UNITE to Face Addiction Rally in Washington DC was a day to remember! Those who have faced addiction in their lives didn’t worry about the threat of a hurricane — not when it came time for “The Day the Silence Ends.” Instead we made history together!

Out of Reach is a special documentary created by a teen filmmaker who captures the issue of teen prescription drug abuse as it exists in his world. The issues contained in the film are a reflection of this issue across the country. It was created in collaboration with director Tucker Capps (of A&E’s Intervention) and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids' Medicine Abuse Project.

You can help #EndMedicineAbuse by sharing the full film and an accompanying Out of Reach toolkit with your friends, schools, communities, families and more. Learn more and access the film and toolkit

PSA / 3:35 / YPR via JJIE.org

Young People In Recovery President Justin Luke Riley gets honest about what's wrong with the substance abuse recovery movement and what people can do to fix it.

Premieres Monday, January 25 @ 9e/8c on Freeform [Prev: ABC Family]

Based on the popular young adult novel by Blake Nelson, “Recovery Road” focuses on Maddie, a teenage girl dealing with addiction. Maddie has a reputation as a party girl who doesn’t think she has a problem, until she’s confronted one day by her school guidance counselor and is forced to choose between expulsion and rehab. Maddie makes the difficult decision to live with other recovering addicts at a sober living facility while facing the daily pressures of her teenage life.

Premiering Thursday, January 21 on CBC’S The Nature of Things.

“There isn’t any other diagnosis where it would be okay to get in people’s face and scream at them and shame them and make them feel terrible about themselves.”

—Dr. Bill Miller from Wasted

Premiering Wednesday, January 13 in the UK / Check your listings.

This groundbreaking documentary tells the frank story of 8 people and their tempestuous relationship with alcohol: from their first drink, their love affair with booze and their despair as they hit rock bottom—to what it took to get sober as they built a new life in recovery.

DRAMA / 2015 / DIR: ROB LEWIS / TRIPLE R ENT. / 0:25:00

SLLiP is a heartfelt, yet disturbing, look into the life of Cam, a hard-working, blue collar, family man, who is injured at work and is prescribed pain medication. SLLiP is a narrative short film, based on true events.

DOCUMENTARY / 2015 / DIR: CHRIS HECK / NOTMYKIDVIDS / 0:03:45

"Justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don't deserve". Find out how Shane Watson recovered from substance abuse and eventually found grace

NR / 0:42:00 / Documentary / 2009 / Dir: R. McClellan, J. Heinerth / Into The Planet

This colorful collection of speakers features a former heroin addicted ballerina who now works as a recovery coach in a sober coffee house, a rational skeptic whose scientific approach to sobriety is being embraced by more people each day. In this clip Reverend Al, a chopper riding prison chaplain, shares his message of hope with death row inmates.

NR / 0:30:00 / Documentary / 2014 / Dir: LD Rowe / aRowe Films

Up-and-coming documentary film-maker, cinematographer and editor, LD Rowe of aRowe Films, reached out to KLĒN + SŌBR to share a riveting half-hour doc he'd produced of a young friend in her final days before entering rehab for her sixth time. Her candid recounting of how she had come to that point makes for a genuinely compelling glimpse into the thoughts of someone teetering on the threshold of recovery.

NR / 0:01:30 / Drama / Dir: Paul Sapp / A Lisa E. Williams Film

A short about the struggle to stay clean and sober.

ANN DOWSETT-JOHNSTON / TEDxHomebushRoadWomen.

Self-aware and driven to educate others, Ann is the author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. She lives in Toronto, and travels the world spreading her message about the multi-layered relationship women can have with their glass of wine (or Scotch or any other drink of choice).

A Documentary Short by Gareth Bowler

My friend Kenny faced his problems head on and went sober and in doing so discovered his way forward in life.

If you haven't yet…it's about time.