Prescription Thugs

This doc is actually about toxic masculinity and the desperate need to medicate, numb, and blot out the the mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually deadening effects of that toxicity (and how that need then renders victims of this condition easy prey— destined to be prey, almost— for prescription pill abuse and the opioid epidemic). Viewed in this way, it is a genuinely revealing view of toxically masculine condition of these people that is so very, very sad. The doc itself, however, shows no indication that it is aware that it is doing this (an ignorance symptomatic of the very toxically masculine perspective from which it is shot, by the way). As a straightforward expose of big pharma and prescription drug epidemic it is rather weak. But perhaps that’s how toxic masculinity HAS to reveal and study itself— as a would-be glorious background condition or incidental side-note to the life-destroying effects of (its own) toxicity that is always blamed on someone or something else. This doc could be a extremely revealing case study in a gender studies class, actually.

A good look into the organized legal drug trade and the systemic abuse of power. It's also an honest look at a man that understands his own hypocrisy and drug problems and what he's doing to try and improve as a person.I had a bad accident in 2010 which resulted in 5 operations over 4 years. The first 2 years, I tried dealing with the pain without any medication. Then one day, a guy who's never had a thought of hurting himself, suddenly understands why some people commit suicide to make the pain stop. I started the process of dealing with the pain by going to the doctor and getting spinal blocks. I had heard the horror stories of opiate addiction and wanted no part of it, if I could avoid it. Sadly the spinal blocks didn't work so I wound up on opiates. I prayed about the path I was going down, remembered my upbringing and went from never doing drugs to being on what is basically synthetic heroin. I was given a prescription for 4 pills a day plus anti inflammatory medication. I only took 3 pain pills a day instead of 4. This was my way of fighting the devilish hold these drugs had on me. I didn't want to completely cave in because I feared the results of being lost forever. The doctors told me I wasn't taking advantage of the medication and was dealing with pain I didn't have too. I did this for 3 straight years and thank goodness for the Grace of God, my Mom and Dad and my Wife and Daughter. That's how I got through it, but it was tough on everyone of them. I wasn't myself at all. After my last operation, I knew it was time to stop the medication, sought the help of a hospital program and in 2.5 days I was free of opiates and hope to never take them again even though I still have some pain.Some people don't really have a choice about whether to take these pain pills or not so I urge you, if you know someone that is taking them, try to walk just one day in their shoes before judging them. They need your love and support. Being on pain meds is not a good quality of life for most. On the other hand, please don't be easily fooled by addicts. It's a tough line to judge so be diligent and understanding before confrontation.I've also been on Zoloft for 2 years after a bad car wreck where a lady hit me head on in 2007. I had never had something I couldn't deal with, but I started having anxiety attacks and thought my heart was going to explode at the age of 42. My doctor told me to seek counseling for PTSD. I did and part of my therapy wound up being on the lowest dose of Zoloft and it helped. After 2 years, I asked to be weened off of it to see how I would cope and thank the Lord, God has helped me ever since.Now I'm battling stage 4 liver disease, but I'm ok and know God has a plan. I hope that watching this and if you happen to read what I've posted, you will share your experience with others. Together, with God, we can overcome anything.God Bless

Listen, there is no need to sugar coat this in any way. Chris Bell is one of the most important documentary filmmakers of our time. Not corporate-funded, agenda-driven, or lavished with copious awards (awards shows owned and operated by wealthy corporations who grant their films-people at the ground level who actually want to make a difference-like Chris Bell will not find corporate sponsorship in any way); however, Bell's work needs to be seen-by everyone. For every person who has felt there is something wrong in the world, that somehow, the odds are against you-unless you become a lackey to the corporate overlords or represent the corporations-this film and Bigger, Stronger, Faster need to be on your immediate watch list. While this film is much more serious, and so much bigger in scale, ideologically and tonally, it is still accessible for any film viewer (with a net worth of under $5 million dollars). Bell is in transformation mode here, and he is entering into a selflessness rarely seen on screen. He didn't make this documentary for profit. He didn't make it to get recognized or become famous. He made it to inform the average, every-day John Q citizen, who wakes up every day and works for a living, in a system that sold them down the river over one hundred years ago. Now, what we are left with is a country run by corporations, for profit, at the expense of indomitable pain, suffering, and loss, not to mention casualties on a scale that would-and should-horrify the masses. Writer/director Bell, navigating his own way through various addictions, was no doubt incited by the untimely passing of his brother Mike, whom we've gotten to know and like (and relate to) through both Bigger and the opening scenes of this documentary, himself another victim of the aptly titled "Prescription Thugs". Big Pharma has turned into the most profitable, money-generating machine of the past two decades. While the bodies pile up (the documentary reminds us that every 19 minutes someone dies of an accidental prescription drug overdose—meditate on that for a few minutes…it should appall you), Bell's father so correctly reminds us that the smoking gun for all these casualties-our brothers (as in Mike Bell), our mothers, our fathers, our friends, our neighbors are being murdered-is clear: follow the money. The War on Drugs, to the tune of $1 trillion plus dollars to taxpayers, essentially equates to the average American, (mostly) law-abiding citizen paying to have their freedoms removed in respect to what you can and can't put in your body, has actually been a glowing success. This film supports this. However, it has been a success for Big Pharma and other mega-conglomerates, who have substantially eliminated ALL FORMS of legal competition, and no so much so for the average Joe and Kate. We get addiction, pain, destruction, and loss. They get billions in profit with minimal regulation and have long since owned practically all politicians in some way or form. The hundreds of millions spent on lobbyists support this.Getting back to Chris Bell…Mr. Bell you are truly a hero in every sense of the word. I would call you a patriot, but that's too obvious to those who know the true definition of the term. Instead, I will call you one of the most enigmatic, intelligent, and furthermore, important voices in documenting the tumultuous early years of the 21st century. Not only is there heart and emotion here that is heartbreaking (to those that can still feel), but a passion and sense of purpose that deserves all the attention and acclaim, which will assuredly come in time. Selflessness and discovery on this scale provide a service for anyone in their 30's and 40's. I'm not just talking about this film mind you, but the equally excellent Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which can be seen as a precursor to this movie. Whereas the former film took the revisionist track and reflected on the "body" culture of the 80's and 90's, and works on so many levels, including nostalgia, this film gets serious, and for a good reason. If we don't change, and soon, well, you can fill in the blank there. Absolutely blistering documentary…see it now before it's too late-for you or someone you love.

Essential viewing, particularly if you are already taking prescription drugs. Excellent documentary, highly recommended.