I come from a long line of Guinness drinkers. Sundays after church, my siblings and I would Irish step dance at the local Irish bar while the grown-ups threw back pints, the rich scent of Guinness lingering in the air. I have vivid memories of picking daffodils outside The Dubliner in Washington, D.C., wearing my green dancing dress, my shawl fastened with Celtic cross pins with little emerald shamrocks. I dreamed of one day visiting Ireland, the land of my ancestors, and drinking Guinness at every pub along the way. 

And then I got sober. And I thought that dream had shattered. 

The New York Times Bestseller “Drinking, A Love Story“ by Caroline Knapp, depicting her 20-year battle with booze, should be in your #QUITLIT library. I recently dusted this book off and pulled it down from the shelves of my recovery library. I’m so glad that I did, as this memoir is truly a classic in my eyes. Caroline’s story changed my life in early sobriety. After re-reading it, this book still holds as much depth and weight as it did the first time I read it.

Let’s be honest: this one feels exactly like what it is—a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. If you’re into the history of AA, curling up with a Hallmark binge and a cozy blanket, you’ll probably settle right in. But if you’re expecting Winona Ryder to deliver the raw intensity of Girl, Interrupted or the haunting vulnerability of Edward Scissorhands, pump the brakes. The Oscar-nominated Winona we know and love doesn’t exactly shine through here. For a 2010 release, I went in with higher expectations and left feeling… let’s just say, underwhelmed.

Dopesick examines how one company triggered the worst drug epidemic in American history. The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Big Pharma to a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA. Defying all the odds, heroes will emerge in an intense and thrilling ride to take down the craven corporate forces behind this national crisis and their allies. This limited-time series is inspired by Beth Macy’s New York Times bestselling book.

The late 2000s was an era when reality TV was exploding with new concepts, and among them was “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” It was an attempt to pull back the curtain on addiction, featuring celebrities battling their demons in front of a national audience. With its controversial approach, the show sparked debates about the balance between exploitation and raising awareness. Today, we’re revisiting this reality TV phenomenon to explore its legacy and uncover what became of its participants.