I enjoy watching Bojack Horseman, and relate a lot to Bojack, but I was wondering if maybe it’s unhealthy to watch it. Should I avoid shows like this because it, at the very least, reminds me of when I drink? He’s an unhealthy character and an alcoholic who isn’t really trying to recover, but his voice actor is Will Arnett, an alcoholic who’s been sober for 15 years! I just want to hear if other people feel comfortable watching these kinds of shows or if they avoid them & what they think I should do.
I know that with shows about pot especially ones that are funny and have bongs/bills in them it makes me wanna join in. I think it will take a while for me personally till I can watch shows like that.
I hope that makes sense
It can be helpful for me sometimes, depends on how I’m feeling and the context/decisions of the character. For example, if the character is an alcoholic whose falling apart, like on How to Get Away with Murder, I sit there and feel great about my sobriety (same when I see drunk people in real life falling apart). But if it’s a “fun” or “appealing” situation, then I struggle.
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I’m 9 months sober (last drink was New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, 2016) but still sometimes have issues / uneasiness watching certain shows… It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Shameless, East Bound and Down etc. Depends on the day and the frequency / magnitude to what they’re doing / showing. Then again there’s tons of other things to watch.
Watch Affliction with Nick Nolte and then see if you ever want a drink again. I can tell you one thing you’ll never want again…to watch Affliction with Nick Nolte.
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Its reflective. To me at least.
You watch how to gey away with murder??love that show.Infact, it helped me realize how ridiculous I looked by seeing how ridiculous she looks.
I used to watch Sons of anarchy and drink.That always put me in the mood.Now when I watch it I just wanna kick some ass hahaha 
Idk guess it just depends on your mood maybe?or where you are in sobriety.I changed the way I look at alcohol.
Yes!!! I absolutely love that show. I agree with you, there have been several times in that show where it demonstrates how ridiculous someone acts under the influence
Yup.I still love the show and it does NOT make me wanna drink lol
Its a good example of how not to cope with your problems.
Shameless & It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are guilty pleasures for me. I find them so both hilariously & depressingly relatable, but I find myself relapsing more when I watch them. I relate a lot to the dumbass characters in It’s Always Sunny & when I see them drink, I wanna take a drink too. It’s hard man. I feel like maybe sometimes I should stay away from shows w/ alcoholic characters?
I think it’s different for every person and where they are in their sobriety. I can’t watch Breaking Bad without wanting to use, but I know that that feeling will dissipate the longer that I’m clean.
Yes I’m a big fan of shows or movies relating to someone who struggles with addiction. Just find the right ones so many are out there. My first one was Clean And Sober excellent movie for recovery. And 28 Days another good one and the classic Girl Interrupted. Again with the ability to search you can find one that might relate to what anyone might be going. I never really knew what I looked like movies gave me a chance to see me.
Yup. Definitely avoid any triggers if you can help it.
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In “real life” temptation is always around every corner. In the end, you are going to encounter drugs and alcohol somewhere at some time weather you’re in recovery or not no matter what you do.
I think tv shows and movies can offer a chance to test our reactions and resolve. In the end, you can be clean as long as you like, if you don’t start viewing your d.o.c in a different way, it will always keep it’s allure.
At least watching something on tv is safer than walking into it in person, know where your limits are and be responsible. If it’s taking you to a bad place, stay away!
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