Methadonia (2005)

This "Millie" cannot be a licensed therapist or drug and alcohol counselor. If so, this movie should be sent to her licensing board. She is profane and disturbing as a group leader. She has no sense of what harm reduction really is... Would you rather someone get a high legally and safely or would you rather have them robbing stores, people, anything for money? SOOO MUCH VERBAL ABUSE!!!! Blah Blah Blah, how are you dealing with your (profanity) pain, mental issues... how can you speak to a person like that Millie? Thats a person, a human being your speaking with. Its not a garbage can. Get some therapy for yourself. You make me sick!

Disclaimer:What my title refers to is, I was in one of the 3 documentaries - all filmed roughly the same time, here in NYC - about junkies. I was in one (UNION SQUARE THE MOVIE), My best friend is in one ('Sebastian', in Dope, Sick, Love), and someone I know well - Michael, is in this documentary.While I'd never had the chance to see this documentary before, I'm just watching it now, and, right off the bat, I want to say: NOT ALL 'METHADONIANS' are as the people in this film appear.It IS true, that there are people in methadone programs (MMTP for short) who DO take benzo's (benzodiazapenes) in order to get a heroin-like high from the methadone.But, I NEVER did, and a lot of people I see at my program, and know, don't.I also want to say that as this film (as well as mine; UNION SQUARE THE MOVIE (and Sebastian's film, Dope, Sick, Love) were all filmed over 6 years ago, all three of us have progressed quite a lot form these times.In this film, Michael (who was shown with his dark glasses on, and nodding out at group) looks MUCH better. He's put on weight, he's got a home, and, he's cleaned up his act.I was happy to see that several other people who are on Methadone weren't 'ashamed' to hide it, and LOUDLY say not all methadonians are like these.That's what really annoyed me, as well.In ANY situation, there'll always be 'bad apples,' and as this film-maker thought - he could focus on these people (at that time) and make what seems to be a 'blanket-statement' about ALL methadonians, and Mr. Negroonte's belief that the Methadone makers sole purpose is to keep us hooked.I can tell you that is WRONG.ANother point, is that, a lot of people just starting on an MMTP are 'on-the-fence' - they've foot dangling in the 'junkie life,' and another dangling in the 'real' worldThat period can last a person months, or years.It all depends on when the person gets tired of the old ways, and WANTS a LIFE.So, as far as Michael goes - he was in that stage when this was made.But, he's not anymore, and, I'd bet that of the people in this film - or at methadone programs in general, a good percentage has passed onto living a higher quality of life.Trying to get off methadone IS more difficult (the reason being that, unlike heroin, methadone acts MUCH longer. Therefore, it's harder to get it out of the body.It's NOT part of a 'nefarious' plot to make people addicted. WE did that to OURSELVES).But, kicking methadone ISN'T the ONLY option.Someone once told me - and I agree - that, as a diabetic needs dialysis lifelong, so, does a methadone client. IF (that's 'I-F') they choose.As of now, that's what I choose.Because, for me - it makes me feel secure - from myself.I don't know yet (almost a decade on it) if I wouldn't run out and cop some dope.But, I also know that on methadone, I've my family back, I've a terrific home, and life.Same goes for Sebastian - and Steve in this film.I wish that Mr. Negroponte would have taken this film, and 'sat' on it for several years.Then, he could pick up the stories 5-or-so years later, and see what impact methadone had on these people's lives.I don't know the other people in this film, but, if Mr. Negropnte had done that, he'd see a 180 degree difference in Michael.Showing the POSITIVE would be great.

Methadonia tells a sad and depressing story. It follows the life of a handful of methadone patients. All are in a state of despair, and I couldn't help but feeling sympathetic for them.The most charismatic and most lovable character, Steve, is truly the substance of the film and the reason why you keep watching.I also liked this documentary because it never veered too far politically. But in a way, I wish it had. Apparently methadone clinics are private industries and it pays to keep patients. I would have liked more investigation on this to bring this situation to light.This doesn't tell as good of a story as say "Hoop Dreams" or documentaries like that, but it does a worthy job of giving a glimpse into the part of American life that most people (fortunately) don't get to see.

Methadonia is a (excuse the pun) dip into the lives of several people trying to get over Methadone, which can be as addicting, sometimes even more so, then Heroin. They all go to a drop in for Meth addicts to get help trying to overcome Methadone. Apparently, it's damn hard to get off the stuff, and what's more shocking, the 'Methadone industry' will try damn hard to make sure you're addicted.I liked this film, all the characters in this were highly interesting, some were slightly crazy (like the gal who was having her 3rd kid, her first kids taken away from her). I mean, all in all I was rooting for some of these people, and some I was saying "Oh Dear".