Director Nick Hamer
Countries United Kingdom
Duration 85 min
Synopsis
You can watch the screener at the following link:, https://vimeo.com/96711973, Password 5taple5 'In rehab, one of the things they asked me to do was write a letter saying goodbye to the addict within. Usually these letters start Dear Addict. When I went back to read it I realised that I had written Dear Albert. At that moment I started to understand what was really going on, that my drug use had become part of an elaborate lie. From that moment I decided that I didn't want to be Albert anymore.' A character driven, observational documentary about recovery from addiction. Following the life and work of Recovery Consultant Jon Roberts over a period of three years. Jon is a recovering addict himself, if he can get well so can Ian and Gary, it's get well or die trying. Albert, Jon’s street name has come to stand for everything he has left behind, his old self, his alter-ego. Five years ago he got clean and sober and started to talk about Albert in the past tense but the truth is Albert is lurking beneath the surface. Jon is a symbol of hope to Ian and Gary because he has experienced deep transformation, repaired his family life, found a career and rediscovered his true self. Today Jon's role is to support other addicts in their recovery. Filmed over three years Jon experiences the challenges of working with Ian and Gary, the death of Micky (another addict in Jon’s care), life saving brain surgery, temptations to use and a coming to terms with his past. Ian (54) has been drinking heavily for 35 years, his partner and his friends are addicts, his street is known as Alkies Alley. The only way Ian will get well is by going to rehab, it takes him three years to realise this. During this time he goes to detox twice, experiences sobriety, lapses several times and eventually, after splitting up with his partner, finally leaves Leicester for rehab. Gary (33) has had numerous jail sentences for offences involving alcohol. Over three years Gary experiences various challenges: entering rehab, dropping out, a new relationship, lapsing, arrest, court, jail, splitting up, training for a boxing match, fighting, losing, winning. At the end of the film Ian and Gary have made good progress but their futures are uncertain.
You can watch the screener at the following link:, https://vimeo.com/96711973, Password 5taple5 'In rehab, one of the things they asked me to do was write a letter saying goodbye to the addict within. Usually these letters start Dear Addict. When I went back to read it I realised that I had written Dear Albert. At that moment I started to understand what was really going on, that my drug use had become part of an elaborate lie. From that moment I decided that I didn't want to be Albert anymore.' A character driven, observational documentary about recovery from addiction. Following the life and work of Recovery Consultant Jon Roberts over a period of three years. Jon is a recovering addict himself, if he can get well so can Ian and Gary, it's get well or die trying. Albert, Jon’s street name has come to stand for everything he has left behind, his old self, his alter-ego. Five years ago he got clean and sober and started to talk about Albert in the past tense but the truth is Albert is lurking beneath the surface. Jon is a symbol of hope to Ian and Gary because he has experienced deep transformation, repaired his family life, found a career and rediscovered his true self. Today Jon's role is to support other addicts in their recovery. Filmed over three years Jon experiences the challenges of working with Ian and Gary, the death of Micky (another addict in Jon’s care), life saving brain surgery, temptations to use and a coming to terms with his past. Ian (54) has been drinking heavily for 35 years, his partner and his friends are addicts, his street is known as Alkies Alley. The only way Ian will get well is by going to rehab, it takes him three years to realise this. During this time he goes to detox twice, experiences sobriety, lapses several times and eventually, after splitting up with his partner, finally leaves Leicester for rehab. Gary (33) has had numerous jail sentences for offences involving alcohol. Over three years Gary experiences various challenges: entering rehab, dropping out, a new relationship, lapsing, arrest, court, jail, splitting up, training for a boxing match, fighting, losing, winning. At the end of the film Ian and Gary have made good progress but their futures are uncertain.