Living on Methadone

A Documentary Illuminating Resilience in the Opioid Crisis

Runtime: Feature
Stage: production
Location: Texas, New York, Washington D.C.
Producer:
Click and Frame Production

Logline:

Living on Methadone follows the raw, resilient journeys of three patients navigating opioid addiction through methadone treatment, blending their stories with expert insights to reveal the triumphs, challenges, and truths behind a life-saving yet stigmatized recovery process

Plot Summary:

Living on Methadone is a feature-length documentary that explores the transformative yet complex role of methadone in opioid addiction recovery. Through the intimate stories of Aaron, Pamela, and Emma, set against diverse regulatory landscapes in Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C., the film captures the human cost of addiction and the hope of redemption. Interwoven with insights from addiction specialists, policymakers, and counselors, it examines the science, history, and politics of methadone treatment, challenging stigma and advocating for accessible care. With a raw yet compassionate tone, the documentary blends observational storytelling with avant-garde visuals to foster empathy and spark dialogue about the opioid crisis.

The Crisis:

In 2023, the CDC reported over 220 Americans die daily from opioid overdoses—more than 80,000 lives lost annually (NCHS Data Brief No. 491, March 2024). For each death, countless survivors bear physical scars, emotional trauma, and societal stigma, yet fight for recovery. Behind these numbers are untold stories of struggle, survival, and hope.

  • The Film
    Living on Methadone casts a compassionate spotlight on methadone treatment, a proven yet stigmatized lifeline for opioid addiction recovery. Unlike narratives of despair, our film celebrates the human spirit through intimate stories of resilience.

    • Pamela, a mother piecing together a life shattered by addiction, finding strength in sobriety to reconnect with her family.

    • Aaron, a father transforming the anguish of losing his daughter to an opioid overdose into a steadfast journey toward sobriety.

    • Emma, a young woman fighting bureaucratic hurdles to reclaim her future.
      Their journeys weave a tapestry of healing, echoing the triumphs of millions.

  • Our Approach
    Collaborating with addiction specialists, policy advocates, and counselors, we blend observational storytelling with evocative, cinematic visuals. This immersive film sparks empathy, challenges stigma, and ignites conversations about recovery and reform.

  • As the opioid crisis devastates communities, survivors of non-fatal overdoses—estimated at 2.4–4 million annually—face trauma, health challenges, and barriers to treatment like methadone. Living on Methadone highlights solutions, offering hope where despair persists.

  • Our Vision
    This is not just a film—it’s a canvas of courage, a symphony of voices rising above silence. Join us to witness lives reclaimed and a path to healing illuminated.

Experts & Characters

  • Black-and-white photo of a man with messy hair wearing a suit, standing in front of a window with a cityscape and trees behind him.

    Philip Brunner

    Substance Abuse Counselor

  • Black-and-white portrait of a man with short dark hair and a beard, standing outdoors near buildings, with a serious expression, wearing a striped shirt.

    Will

    Former Opioid User

  • Black and white photo of a man in a checked shirt looking away outdoors with a brick and concrete background.

    Aaron

    Former Methadone Patient

  • Close-up black and white portrait of an elderly man wearing glasses, showing detailed facial features.

    Dr. Robert L. DuPont

    Leader in Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment / Former Drug Czar

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair looking directly at the camera against a plain dark background.

    Frances McGaffery

    Addiction Researcher / Pew Research Center

  • Black and white photo of a man with glasses and a mustache wearing a police or security shirt, sitting indoors with photography equipment in the background.

    Steve Nichols

    Retired Buffalo Police Captain

  • Black and white close-up portrait of a woman with dark hair, looking directly at the camera, with a blurred brick wall background.

    Pamela

    Methadone Patient

Crew

  • Black and white portrait of a man with dark hair, wearing a button-up shirt with a serious expression, facing slightly right but looking directly at the camera.

    Mani Mehrvarz

    Director/Producer

  • A man wearing glasses working with electronic equipment, with another man observing in the background.

    Matthew A. Nardone

    Cinematographer

  • A black-and-white portrait of a man with glasses and a beard, gazing out a window with a contemplative expression.

    Justin Sanchez

    Associate Producer

  • Black and white photo of a woman with short, wavy hair, wearing glasses and a floral-patterned top, standing outdoors.

    Maryam Muliaee

    Executive Producer/Art Direction

  • A young man with short hair wearing a hoodie, backpack, and headphones around his neck in black and white.

    Micheal Bouquard

    Sound Mixer

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length curly hair, wearing a light sweater and a patterned blazer.

    Cynthia Smith

    Consultant (SME)

  • Black-and-white photo of a smiling man with curly hair and glasses, wearing a collared shirt.

    Jordan Geiger

    Art Direction

  • A man with a beard, wearing glasses, a cap, and a dark shirt, looking off into the distance outdoors, with a blurred background.

    Mark Pasqualotto

    Gaffer

  • A person is taking a black-and-white photo in a mirror, holding a camera up to their face. They have dark hair and are wearing a dark shirt. In the background, there are two studio light umbrellas, one on each side of the person, and a blurred background with some objects and a picture on the wall.

    Vicente Rondón

    Photographer/Location Scout

  • Black and white close-up of smiling older man with glasses, curly hair, wearing a polo shirt.

    Michael Marrone

    Story Producer

  • Black and white portrait of a man with a beard and mustache, looking thoughtful, indoors with large windows showing city buildings in the background.

    Christopher D’Addario

    Production Assistant