HBO EXPLORES ADDICTION.

Byline: - David Kronke

The grim realities presented in HBO's ambitiously altruistic Addiction Project are enough to drive one to drink. But the portraits of resolve and suggestions that new medications and programs can provide some semblance of hope might help wrest the monkeys off addicts' back.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a woe confronting not just the millions who are in the thrall of their disease, but their families, friends and employers, as well. HBO's series posits the malady as a medical, not moral, condition afflicting brains which have ceased to function correctly, and argues addicts don't have to hit bottom to seek help.

For tonight's lead documentary, "Addiction" -- which offers an assortment of short films exploring the topic from a variety of angles -- and the supplemental series airing on HBO2, a veritable who's-who of documentarians have been recruited, with numerous Emmys, Oscars and nominations on their resumes.

Together, they examine everything from how addictions prevent victims from being able to make the right choices to emerging drugs such as baclofen, buprenorphine and topiramate, which can help curb addicts' urges.

A sequence of one night in one emergency room, where most of the patients come due to addiction problems, spurs more intimate portraits of addicts, young and old, and their concerned relatives, putting a human face on the disease. Two-time Oscar winner Barbara Koppel offers a portrait of a union that created a successful program to combat the rampant alcoholism within its ranks.

But the medications are expensive, and insurance 7/8 provided one has insurance to begin with 7/8 may not cover the costs.

"Insurance Woes," an installment in tonight's film, offers a damning portrait of the managed-care industry, reporting that 43 percent of addicts can't get the necessary assistance to beat their addictions.

Says Dr. Kathleen Brady: "Denial is a core feature of this disorder."

Dr. Mark Willenbring defines addiction as "wanting the wrong thing very, very badly." Clearly, we've become a nation in denial of this problem, and not until we want the right thing very, very badly will we be able to help those in need.

ADDICTION - Three and one half stars

What: 14-part documentary series on the damning effects of addiction and the difficulty of recovery.

Where: HBO, also hbo.com.

When: 9 tonight; also 6:30 p.m. Saturday, noon and 10 p.m. Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. March 25, 6:30 a.m. and 11:40 p.m. March 27.

In a nutshell: Frankly, sobering.

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"Addiction," premiering tonight on HBO, leads off a 14-part documentary series that features interviews with medical experts and portraits of those affected -- including the young woman at left --by the disease of alcohol and drug addiction.