I’ve listed the best documentaries on addiction I can find.
The below list covers Heroin, Oxy, Fentanyl and alcohol.
Some of the docs are free to watch (right here via video embeds) and others are from Netflix, HBO Max, PBS and YouTube.
Just a heads-up: you might see a video embed or two that reads “This video is age-restricted”.
Clicking on the video embed should still work (you just need to watch the video directly on YouTube (instead of here on Daily Doc).
1) Black Tar Heroin: The Dark End Of The Street
The documentary plunges into the raw, desperate lives of heroin addicts in San Francisco. Over three years, we follow five users, each battling their addiction and the grim realities it brings—poverty, crime, and death.
Directed by Steven Okazaki, this 75-minute doc is haunting. It’s unflinchingly real, showing needles in veins, ruined lives, and broken families. You see it all—overdoses, prostitution, and jail time. The camera never flinches, and neither do you.
What sticks with you are the faces. There’s Tracey, a once-bright teenager turned heroin-addicted sex worker. Jake and Jessica, a couple bound by love and addiction, spiral together. Alice and Oreo, living on the streets, search for their next fix. Each story is heartbreaking.
But this doc doesn’t romanticize the struggle. It doesn’t judge either. You just watch helplessly as heroin consumes them.
You can’t make this $hit up: One addict, Jake, shoots up just hours after being released from jail.
At the end, there’s no happy ending. Only survival, or not.
This doc leaves you shaken, with no easy answers.
You can watch “Black Tar Heroin” for free on Daily Motion by clicking the video embed above. As a backup, you can also watch it for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHxP24GzSF8
2) Addiction (NOVA on PBS)
Release date: October 17, 2018
PBS’s “Addiction” breaks down the science of why we get hooked.
This 53-minute documentary digs into the brain’s role in addiction. It doesn’t just focus on drugs like opioids and heroin but also alcohol, nicotine, and even social media. It explains how substances hijack the brain’s reward system, making people chase that next hit, even when it destroys their lives.
Experts like Dr. Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse explain the research in simple terms. MRI scans show the actual brain changes that occur during addiction, making it clear this isn’t just a “willpower” issue.
What’s powerful about this doc is how it highlights hope. It covers cutting-edge treatments, from new medications to behavioral therapies, that are giving addicts a fighting chance. And it doesn’t shy away from the stigma people face when seeking help.
One doctor calls addiction a “chronic disease,” comparing it to diabetes—something you manage, not cure.
“Addiction” gives you a clear understanding of why it’s so hard to quit and what we’re doing to help people recover.
You can watch it on PBS by clicking the video embed above.
3) Ben: Diary of a Heroin Addict
Release date: 2008
“Ben: Diary of a Heroin Addict” offers a raw, personal look at addiction.
This 70-minute documentary shows Ben Rogers, a middle-class British man, spiraling into heroin addiction.
Filmed by his own family, it’s a deeply intimate portrayal of the chaos that heroin brings—not just to the addict, but to their loved ones too.
Ben records himself injecting, stealing, and lying, making the viewer a witness to his decline.
What makes this doc so gut-wrenching is that it’s not some distant subject. Ben was just a regular guy who fell into addiction after a painful breakup.
His family tries to help, but heroin has its grip on him.
Ben’s story doesn’t have a happy ending. His addiction leads to his death at just 34 years old.
You can’t make this $hit up: Ben secretly filmed a video will, knowing heroin would kill him, but couldn’t stop.
The documentary doesn’t try to sugarcoat things. It’s raw, painful, and brutally honest.
Ben’s journey is a stark reminder of how addiction can devastate even the most “normal” lives.
You can watch “Ben: Diary of a Heroin Addict” for free on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/187089637
4) Jacinta
“Jacinta” is a heartbreaking look at generational addiction.
This 105-minute documentary follows Jacinta, a 26-year-old mother trying to break free from the same cycle of addiction that consumed her mother, Rosemary.
Filmed over three years, we watch Jacinta struggle to stay clean after being released from prison, while her young daughter, Caylynn, waits for her to come home.
Director Jessica Earnshaw gets brutally close to the family’s pain. Jacinta desperately wants to be a good mother, but heroin pulls her back again and again.
We see her relapse, the tension with her mother, and the crushing disappointment of her daughter.
The documentary highlights the vicious grip addiction has, not just on one person, but across generations.
It shows how trauma and addiction are passed down like an unwanted inheritance.
You can’t make this $hit up: Jacinta’s mother uses heroin in prison and teaches Jacinta to do the same.
“Jacinta” doesn’t offer easy answers or happy endings. It’s a raw, emotional journey that will leave you thinking long after it’s over.
The doc is a painful reminder of how addiction can trap families for decades.
You can watch “Jacinta” on Hulu here but if you don’t have Hulu it’s also om other streamers through Hulu bundles here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/jacinta
5) The Crime of the Century
Release date: May 10, 2021
“The Crime of the Century” is a damning look at the opioid crisis.
This two-part HBO documentary is directed by Alex Gibney.
For the unititated, Gibney has directed such classic docs as “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” “Taxi to the Dark Side,” “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley,” “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks,” “Zero Days,” “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer,” “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine,” and “The Armstrong Lie.”.
Gibney exposes how Purdue Pharma and Insys Therapeutics fueled the epidemic.
These companies pushed drugs like OxyContin and fentanyl, leading to widespread addiction and death.
Gibney shows how they aggressively marketed these opioids, manipulating the system at every turn.
The documentary highlights corrupt doctors, weak regulations, and government failures that allowed this disaster to grow.
Whistleblowers, journalists, and insiders reveal the greed behind it all.
You can’t make this $hit up: Insys paid doctors with cash and trips to push fentanyl—even to patients who didn’t need it.
“The Crime of the Century” uncovers the shocking truth of how the crisis was built on profit, with devastating human cost.
You can watch it on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/show/08f1eb4d-e0d8-4548-ac00-6d273b3a3845
6) How to Change Your Mind
Release date: July 12, 2022
“How to Change Your Mind” explores psychedelics as addiction treatment.
This four-part Netflix series, based on Michael Pollan’s book, looks at LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. Each episode highlights a different substance.
The doc breaks down their controversial past and their potential to treat addiction, depression, and PTSD.
Pollan narrates, adding a personal touch. He guides us through interviews with researchers, doctors, and former addicts. Their stories show how psychedelics help break deep-rooted addiction.
You can’t make this $hit up: One addict claims that MDMA saved my life”.
Directed by Alison Ellwood, the series uses trippy visuals to show how these substances alter the mind. “How to Change Your Mind” makes you rethink what’s possible in addiction recovery.
You can watch “How to Change Your Mind” for free on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80229847
7) Louix Theroux: Drinking to Oblivion
Louis Theroux’s “Drinking to Oblivion” is a brutal look at alcoholism.
In this 60-minute documentary, Theroux heads to King’s College Hospital in London, where we meet people struggling with alcohol addiction.
The stories are devastating—patients like Joe, a man who drinks himself into a stupor daily, and Aurelie, a French woman who battles severe mental health issues alongside her addiction.
Their bodies and lives are falling apart, yet they can’t stop.
Theroux’s calm, empathetic style shines here. He asks tough questions, but without judgment.
The hospital’s doctors and nurses fight to save their patients, but they know the odds are against them. The doc shows how alcohol can consume someone’s life completely—destroying health, relationships, and dignity.
You can’t make this $hit up: Joe admits he drinks 30 cans of strong beer every day just to feel “normal.”
“Drinking to Oblivion” is a sobering reminder of how addiction can lead people to the edge.
It’s bleak but honest, showing the painful reality of alcoholism without offering easy solutions.
You can watch Louis Theroux’s Drinking to Oblivion on YouTube (it was $1.99 to $2.99 last I checked) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_XY8Cd2UZE
8) Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss
Release date: December 16, 2021
“Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss” is a raw look at addiction and fame.
This 115-minute HBO doc, directed by Tommy Oliver, shows the rapper’s rise and tragic fall. We see Juice WRLD on tour, in the studio, and struggling with drugs. He’s open about his battles with anxiety, depression, and addiction, using Percocet and lean to cope.
The doc mixes performances with intimate moments, giving us a window into his troubled mind. Friends and collaborators watch him spiral, but even with their concern, the drugs keep flowing.
You can’t make this $hit up: Juice WRLD pops pills while freestyling, showing just how normal his drug use had become.
“Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss” shows the dark side of success. Fame didn’t save him. Addiction consumed him.
You can watch Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/movie/68504bcf-7160-429f-bbff-3dda7c2356ba
9) Ten Dollar Death Trip
Release date: March 2, 2020
“Ten Dollar Death Trip” is a chilling dive into the fentanyl crisis.
This 50-minute documentary takes us through the streets of cities across North America—Vancouver, Montreal, and parts of the U.S.—where fentanyl has taken hold.
We meet addicts, paramedics, and community workers, all trying to survive or help others survive this deadly synthetic opioid, which is cheap and lethal.
The doc shows how fentanyl is flooding the streets, with a hit costing as little as $10 but frequently leading to overdose and death.
We hear directly from users about their struggles, with most admitting they know the risks but can’t stop. Paramedics rush to revive people who’ve overdosed, often the same individuals multiple times a day.
You can’t make this $hit up: Some paramedics carry “death bags” filled with body armor due to the volatile, dangerous environments they enter daily.
“Ten Dollar Death Trip” doesn’t pull any punches. It shows the grim reality of how fentanyl destroys lives and overwhelms communities.
There are no easy solutions here, just a stark look at the human toll of a drug that’s cheaper than ever—and deadlier too.
You can watch “it on”Ten Dollar Death Trip” for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLAQMG2EYl0
10) Recovery Boys
“Recovery Boys” is a raw look at the long road to recovery.
This 90-minute Netflix documentary, directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, follows four men as they try to rebuild their lives after years of opioid addiction.
Set in rural West Virginia, the film takes us into Jacob’s Ladder, a rehab farm that offers these men a second chance. We watch them struggle with relapse, self-doubt, and the overwhelming pressure of staying clean in a world filled with triggers.
The doc’s strength is in its intimate portrayal of each man’s journey.
There’s no sugarcoating here—recovery is messy and hard. You see the strain on their families, the pull of their old lives, and their battle to stay sober long after leaving rehab.
How tough is it to stay sober?
One man relapses just days after finishing rehab and finds himself back in the cycle.
“Recovery Boys” doesn’t offer easy answers.
It’s a deeply personal look at addiction and how hard it is to break free, even with support.
It’s heartbreaking but hopeful, showing that recovery is possible, but far from guaranteed.
You can watch “Recovery Boys” on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80177782
11) Heroin(e)
From the same team that brought you “Recovery Boys”.
“Heroin(e)” is a powerful glimpse into the opioid crisis in West Virginia.
This 39-minute Netflix documentary, directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, follows three women on the front lines of the epidemic in Huntington, a town ravaged by heroin.
We meet a fire chief, a drug court judge, and a street missionary—each playing a crucial role in the fight to save lives.
The doc shows how these women work tirelessly to reduce overdose deaths, guide addicts toward recovery, and bring hope to a community overwhelmed by addiction.
The fire chief responds to daily overdose calls, the judge offers second chances through drug court, and the missionary provides food and support to women on the streets.
You can’t make this $hit up: One scene shows the fire chief reviving the same woman from an overdose twice in just a few hours.
“Heroin(e)” is short but packs a punch. It highlights the human toll of the opioid crisis and the dedication of those trying to fight it. It’s a sobering yet hopeful look at how community efforts can make a difference, even in the darkest times.
You can watch Heroin(e) on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80192445
12) Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story
“Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story” dives deep into the life of a rock legend lost too soon.
This 90-minute documentary, directed by Scot Barbour, chronicles the rise and tragic fall of Andrew Wood, the charismatic lead singer of the band Mother Love Bone.
Wood was a key figure in Seattle’s grunge scene before his death from a heroin overdose in 1990, just as his band was on the brink of major success.
The doc traces his early years, his flamboyant personality, and his deep love for music. It features interviews with Wood’s family, bandmates (including future Pearl Jam members), and other Seattle musicians.
His death not only marked the end of Mother Love Bone but also paved the way for the birth of grunge icons like Pearl Jam.
You can’t make this $hit up: Andrew Wood’s death led to the formation of Temple of the Dog, a tribute band featuring Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder.
“Malfunkshun” is a bittersweet look at talent, addiction, and what might have been.
It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the roots of Seattle’s iconic music scene and the personal cost of addiction.
You can watch “Malfunkshun” on on Daily Motion (with ads) at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hupqy You can also rent it on Amazon and possibly other places — check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/malfunkshun-the-andrew-wood-story
13) Addiction
Release date: March 15, 2007
“Addiction” is a deep dive into the many faces of drug dependency.
This 90-minute HBO documentary, directed by a mix of filmmakers like Jon Alpert, Joe Berlinger, and Susan Froemke, is made up of nine segments, each exploring different aspects of addiction.
For example, you’le one segment on a night in a Dallas ER filled with overdose cases. Another segment is on a mother’s desperate struggle to save her son.
Experts explain the science behind the brain’s grip on addiction and the growing evidence for new, more effective treatments.
You can’t make this $hit up: An ER doctor treats five overdose patients in just one night.
You can watch it on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/movie/a6a192ce-9585-4680-957a-07a62cea0539
14) All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Release date: November 23, 2022
“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” tackles addiction and accountability with raw intensity.
Directed by Laura Poitras, this 113-minute doc follows photographer Nan Goldin’s battle against the Sackler family, the makers of OxyContin, a drug that fueled the opioid epidemic.
Goldin, a former addict, nearly lost her life to OxyContin.
Now she’s leading the charge through her group P.A.I.N., demanding that museums sever ties with the Sacklers, whose blood money funded many of the world’s top cultural institutions.
Goldin’s personal story adds weight to the film. Her iconic photography captured the gritty reality of 1970s and ‘80s New York, documenting the lives of sex workers, addicts, and outcasts—including her own battles with addiction.
The doc seamlessly weaves these powerful images with footage of her protests against the Sacklers, showing her as both artist and activist.
The relevance of this documentary is hard to overstate. It’s not just about addiction—it’s about the systems that exploit it for profit.
You can’t make this $hit up: Despite her efforts, the Sackler name still remains on many prestigious museums, a stark reminder of their influence.
This doc is a compelling mix of personal pain and public protest, making it deeply relevant in today’s opioid crisis.
You can watch it on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/movie/9aabe565-ab76-45e8-861e-f868742452c6 (or more paid options like Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu and Redbox) here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/all-the-beauty-and-the-bloodshed
15) The Anonymous People
Release date: September 19, 2013
“The Anonymous People” highlights the recovery movement in a fresh, inspiring way.
Directed by Greg Williams, this 88-minute documentary focuses on the 23 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction.
By sharing real stories, the film fights to remove the stigma that keeps people silent and suffering.
“The Anonymous People” is a powerful push for cultural and policy change.
You can watch it on Kanopy and Hoopla (free with library/university ID). Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-anonymous-people
Thanks for reading!
-Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc