Some call the 21st century the Post-AIDS Years thanks to activism and new medications. New York and other centers of gay life have new generations of LGBTQ people who feel free and safe. Over the years, however, another ravaging threat has continued to rise: crystal meth, a synthetic drug that found quick and willing harbor in the gay dance and sex club scene. Delivering a manic rush to intensify physical and sexual activity, addiction is almost instantaneous. This frightening but hopeful documentary explores the myriad causes and effects of crystal meth addiction, charting the long and sometimes agonizing path to recovery. The stories bravely told by these men, either recovering or currently using, are raw, shocking and honest. Both a warning siren and a beacon of hope, Crystal City focuses on LGBTQ people even though this crisis touches everyone. After surviving AIDS as a powerful and joyful culture, the gay community must once again unite against a new killer.
M**
lots of accurate stories about drug use
I liked the realness of the stories and rehabilitation . This is a very real documentary and may do some good if you or someone you know had this struggle.
M**J
If You Want to Understand Addiction This Is the Film to Watch
What an amazing documentary! It puts a face on a disease that impacts EVERYONE in some way, whether directly or indirectly. As a mental health and addiction professional, I found the film validating of what I already knew based on my experience with clients, but also so elucidating and informative--but in an approachable and not scientific/cold way. Even though it's a documentary, you care about the "characters" and their stories and want to see them do well. You learn how addiction (whether it's crystal meth or ANY drug/alcohol) works from the people experiencing. How it affects them, their lives, their families, and so on. It's really well-made as a film (so many docs are amateurish) and I believe is a truly valuable contribution to the addiction treatment industry (I will show it to my clients!) as well as the public at large that rarely understands the disease beyond "Why can't they just stop?" I've read Dr. Fawcett's book (and highly recommend that as well), and this film is a "3-D" extension of that information. I can't recommend this film highly enough.
J**Y
want fun and fluff then look elsewhere
This is a well done documentary that reflects the reality that some face. It’s educational and interesting. Other reviews are more eloquent than mine, I am not a critic, but I learned something. It’s hopeful and not a downer even though the subject matter deals with harsh realities that dont have simplistic and easy solutions. It’s nice to know that community is available to some in these times, the twenty twenties, when community seems to discouraged and social distancing, we’re being led to believe, is the new normal, leading to as yet unknown numbers of suicides and victims of isolation, domestic abuse, etc.
J**.
Tradition 11, READ IT!
Not much new here. Crystal Meth Anonymous mixes literature, concepts and, like the media, mixes the language of two 12 step programs in press, radio & films, especially films. It is great that it is helping people, however, because no body but a recovering individual can be interested enough to READ and understand, it seems media and now entire 12 step programs are bastardizing the Traditions. Tradition 11, read it.
T**Y
Beautifully told through some ugly truths
"there but for the grace of God go I". Everyone has a story and each story in this film is gently told with love and respect, and again reminds us all that addiction while messy and ugly, these same people are human beings, sons, brothers, friends, etc. Their stories are beautifully told through some ugly truths. Difficult to watch in parts, but that's the result of good story telling. All the best to those in this film for getting sober and staying sober. Prayers and positive energy to you all.
P**N
I Learned So Much From This Documentary
Before watching this documentary I knew virtually zero about Crystal Meth other than some of my family members we're addicts. I must say, my eyes are opened to the addictive power of Crystal Meth, what physiological effects it has on the human body / mind and most importantly, what it looks like when you find a group of individuals willing to fight back against the addiction.I would recommend this film to anyone who has a loved one struggling with a Crystal Meth addiction as it will show you first hand the different stages of recovery from multiple individuals perspectives.
D**G
Courageous Look at the Gay Meth Epidemic
This film moved me. As a gay man and former Meth addict, I felt the raw vulnerability of those interviewed and related deeply to each spectrum of active addiction and recovery. The film makers are courageous for exposing this hidden epidemic of the gay community. I am so pleased to see attention brought to this topic, and in such an intimate and honest way.Watching this film has helped solidify my gratitude for breaking away from this drug and lifestyle before I lost my family and life.
J**Z
Triggering, but so powerful!
I am a recovering crystal meth addict with 22 months clean, and this documentary was amazing, but also very triggering. I’m so glad to have been at a point in my recovery where I could watch it and digest its message. I would highly recommend watching this documentary if you are struggling with meth addiction or love a meth addict!
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