Detox or Die (2004)

Detox or Die is a personal and raw documentary that delves into one man’s harrowing struggle with addiction. Directed by David Graham Scott, the film provides an unflinching look at the impact of addiction on a person’s life and the relentless hold it can have on their every waking moment.

Here are the key details about this powerful documentary:

1. The Protagonist’s Struggle:
   • The film follows David Graham Scott himself, who had been addicted to heroin and opiates for 20 years.
   • Desperate to break free from this lifetime of addiction, he makes a bold decision: to try an unlicensed drug called Ibogaine.
2. The Controversial Cure:
   • Ibogaine is known for its ability to set users free from addiction after enduring 36 hours of horrendous hallucinations.
   • Scott’s journey becomes a personal quest to break free from the prison of his own making.
3. The Risky Procedure:
   • The documentary chronicles Scott’s struggle with withdrawal, both physically and mentally.
   • He embarks on a highly dangerous and potentially lethal program, hoping that Ibogaine will completely cure him of his addiction.
4. Five Years of Wrestling with Addiction:
   • “Detox or Die” follows Scott for more than five years as he grapples with his addiction and ultimately makes the life-threatening decision to undergo this extreme detoxification process.
5. The Crucible of Detoxification:
   • Scott endures the excruciating pain of withdrawal and the enormous mental burden.
   • The film captures the intensity of his journey, revealing the depths of addiction and the desperate search for liberation.

In summary, Detox or Die is a brutally honest exploration of addiction, resilience, and the lengths one man is willing to go to break free from the chains of substance dependence. It’s a stark reminder of the human cost of addiction and the fragile hope of recovery.