Hey guys, Jana here,
Most people surround themselves with family at this time of year, and a lot of times that can lead to a few drinks in celebration. But how much is festive and when does it turn problematic? These are the questions this documentary, ‘Risky Drinking’ will address and shed some light on what is a serious problem.
The doc comes from Oscar and Emmy winner Ellen Goosenberg Kent (‘Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1‘) and producer Perri Peltz (‘The Education of Dee Dee Ricks‘). One-third of adults in America take part in problem drinking at some point in their lives. A person’s drinking can range from mild to a severe alcohol disorder. HBO and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism are co-producing the doc which could help millions when it airs Monday December 19, only on HBO. There are multiple ways and days available to view the doc, tune in December 22, 24, 27, 30 and January 8. Plus you can always watch it on HBO2, HBO NOW, HBO GO, and HBO On Demand.
Featured in the program are case studies at various subjects in different ages and stages of their lives to showcase risky drinking behavior.
Kenzie, a young Denver professional who sometimes binge drinks with her friends on weekends as a social lubricant and to “turn off her brain” after a stressful workweek. During one holiday weekend, on the heels of a difficult breakup, she consumes well over ten drinks a night, leading to an emotional breakdown. Binge drinking, or having four to five (or more) drinks in a single episode, accounts for more than half the alcohol consumed by adults in the U.S., with most of those at risk between the ages of 18 and 34.
Mike, who tries to build a new life and career in St. Thomas. As his visiting teenage son notes, however, his daily schedule often involves drinking. With his current marriage hanging by a thread after a series of dangerous “drinking incidents,” Mike decides to enter rehab. But a trip to see his wife beforehand finds him drunk once more, leading his wife to walk out. Unwilling to give up drinking completely, Mike participates in a 90-day program to help moderate his alcohol use, but after a relapse, he questions if he’s ready.
Rhonda, who uses alcohol as a “coping mechanism” for the stress of raising a family, and participates in a weekly happy hour with friends to let off steam. She has become increasingly concerned about her friend Noel, a divorced mother of two who uses wine as an “escape” from her negative feelings surrounding her ex. As Noel starts to lose the ability to control her drinking, Rhonda encourages her friend to try a treatment called moderation management before it’s too late.
Neal, a father of two grown children, who is currently on his second marriage, and risks losing everything from years of alcoholism. He struggles to function physically without alcohol, suffering withdrawal tremors. When his wife Kathy finds him drinking in the parking lot of the grocery store where he works part-time, she convinces him to go to the hospital for detox. A month later, a sober Neal feels he’s getting a second chance to stay sober for his grandson – but his sobriety doesn’t last. Having been in and out of rehab and detox 12 times in four years, Neal prepares to try one more time by entering a 35-day residential program.