An immersive, vérité-based film that introduces, to most, the concept of wet houses— harm reduction residential facilities that allow chronic, relapsing alcoholics to continue drinking—as well as the controversial and often thankless work the institutions do. By documenting daily life at The Glenwood, we make the financial case for these facilities (showing their practical and cost-saving benefits) and highlight the immense tolerance that fuels the care given there. And by telling individuals’ stories, we demonstrate how the wet house functions as a highly accommodating care model for a disease that has complex, individual manifestations. Because of our culture’s focus on sobriety as the only response to alcoholism, wet houses are relatively uncommon, despite being a clear ‘win win’ for communities and residents.
