16 and Recovering
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Harrowing docu shows realities of teen addiction, recovery.
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16 and Recovering
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What's the Story?
16 AND RECOVERING is a reality series that follows the students and faculty at a unique school in Beverly, Massachusetts. Michelle Lipinski is the founder and principle of Northshore Recovery High, which is specifically designed for students struggling with mental health issues and addiction. From the first day of class until the end of the academic year, cameras document the lives of some of the school's 50-plus students. They openly share stories about their addiction, what motivates their drug use, and the difficulties of staying sober. Cameras also reveal how the faculty helps students with their school work while supporting their recovery, and intervening in their care when necessary.
Is It Any Good?
This harrowing but honest series shows how one school seeks to help teen addicts by providing them a place where they can learn and get recovery support without being judged. While Northshore High is an accredited school, it also provides some of the services of a rehabilitation center, including mandatory alcohol and drug testing, teaching restorative practices, and openly addressing students' addictions and recovery. Documenting these efforts is also a way of pointing to the broader societal problems that make such an institution necessary, including the lack of overall mental health resources and care, and the ongoing, and extremely pervasive, opioid crisis. Society's overall negative and non-proactive approach to helping teen addicts is also underscored.
Like most installments of the 16 and franchise, it's voyeuristic and heavily edited. But what makes 16 and Recovering worth the watch are the painful truths it reveals about addiction and children. Many teens admit that their alcohol and drug use started years before they entered high school. Despite the support of the faculty and their families, students who are sober for months inevitably relapse, often due to self-medicating for conditions like depression and anxiety. The toll it takes on their families is highlighted, and there are no guarantees of happy endings. These messages are worth paying attention to, and learning from, to help kids who are struggling with addiction, and to help encourage younger generations to choose a different path.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges that come with helping teenagers who are addicted to drugs. The teachers featured in 16 and Recovering are kind and nonjudgmental, but how do they refrain from enabling the teens? Is there anything that surprises you about the way they work with students?
Did you know that one out of seven teens are addicted to opioids? Or that the younger a person is when they try alcohol or drugs, the higher the chance they will become an addict? What role does the media play in a young person's choice to use alcohol and drugs?
If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration national health line. For teen-specific addiction information, check out drugfree.org.
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 1, 2020
- Cast: Michelle Lipinski
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Friendship
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Humility , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 13, 2022
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