Greetings again from the darkness. I really try to be a good citizen. I watch and read the news daily – even when it’s painful. I keep up with cultural and societal shifts. Despite my best efforts, every now and then something comes along that stuns me … catching me off guard to the point that I simply never suspected what’s really happening. My latest eye-opener comes courtesy of documentarian Benjamin Flaherty, who utilizes his own experiences (finally getting sober at age 41) to wake us up to the corruption that feeds the profitability of addiction centers (a billion-dollar industry).
South Florida is the rehab capital (another thing I didn’t know), and by the time Flaherty is finished telling the story, we can’t help but describe the rehab process as one big conspiracy of corruption and profit and deceit. The process is explained so completely, and he provides real life situations (focusing on three addicts), so we can’t feel anything but anger at those that profit and sadness for those caught in the loop. Insurance fraud has been a hot topic for a while, and the film serves up multiple examples (and proof) of just how some of these treatment facilities work the system – stooping to kickbacks for the ‘brokers’ who keep the addicts on the treadmill so that they qualify for treatment through insurance programs.
While we usually think of organized crime in terms of “The Sopranos” or Scorsese’s CASINO, the description absolutely fits what we witness here. One of those interviewed by Flaherty admits she’s been in 36 treatment centers (each covered by insurance). We hear that detox centers become like second homes. This is truly an example of the value expertly crafted documentaries can provide – information on topics we might not have access to. Flaherty’s message is impossible to miss: Wealth, not Health.
Opening at DCTV Firehouse Cinema in New York
January 16, 2026
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Fascinating reviews as always. I don’t normally take any interest in documentaries but this one sounds extremely interesting. Drug addiction is a sensitive issue that is rarely talked about in society. So, I have always appreciated movies that are brave enough to tackle this issue. The premise for this film focused on drug users reminds me about the film “Requiem for a Dream”. Released in 2000, Darren Aronofsky’s movie depicted tragic lives of drug users battling addiction. One of my favourite movies about drugs of all-time. “Shuffle” seems to fall into the same category of movies. So, I will definitely be sure to watch this documentary.
Here’s why I loved “Requiem for a Dream”: