By Brie Boyce

It’s Not Like That[i] is a trending show in the U.S. today, sitting at #5 as of June 1, 2026, according to Amazon Prime ratings. The show follows two families who grew up alongside one another through significant suffering and change. Malcolm is a pastor who recently lost his wife, Jenny. Lori is Jenny’s best friend and next-door neighbor. Lori’s husband left her shortly after Jenny’s death.

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[i] “Hope and Peace and Joy and Love” It’s Not Like That: Season 1, Episode 8 written by Danielle DiPaulo, Ian Deitchman, Kristin Rusk Robinson, Abdi Nazemian, Adira Baratta, directed by Rosemary Rodriguez, Brad Silberling, Peter, Sollett, Valerie Weiss, Prime Video, 2004.

Disease and AA

Alcoholism, although absent from ratings and reviews, is a major part of the storyline. Lori’s ex-husband along with her son deal with drunkenness. This widely trending show openly states that the father and son struggle with a disease. While speaking with his son one night, after an accident, Lori’s husband speaks from his experience. The son replies back “But I’m not you.” To which we hear the response, “You don’t have to be—it’s a disease.”

We see a glimpse of an AA meeting hosted at Malcolm’s church, where Lori’s husband says, “I’m David. I was sober for more than two years, and now I have one day. I guess that makes me a newcomer.”

Let’s examine the ideas presented in this trending show. We see the promotion of the idea that Malcolm, a pastor, is not equipped to counsel those who struggle with alcohol. It also promotes the idea that the thing keeping the “once drunk” person clean is a sobriety chip. Lastly, we see that it’s a disease.

What Can the Church Do to Help Those in Addiction?

We must ask: Is Christ not sufficient to equip pastors to shepherd their flocks, even when addiction-related struggles are involved? Is Christ not worthy of our obedience in being sober-minded? Is addiction really a disease or is it a choice? 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB) says,

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

What’s Streaming into Your Home?

Parents, be wary of the shows your teenagers are watching. Be watchful of the theology being preached through the entertainment you consume. Common Sense Media rates drinking, drugs, and smoking in this show as 1 out of 5, indicating very little concern. However, with depictions of underage drinking, DUIs, drunken scenes, and more, is it really “very little”?

The next generation continues to be fed the same lie—that there is no hope and that people are defined by this “disease.”

We Offer Real Hope

The Addiction Connection is on the battlefield right now. We are standing firm in a culture that seeks every possible way to call sin anything but sin. We stand firm in our belief as we offer real hope—that a chip does not define you, but Christ does.

Will you stand with us? We need your support.

Brie Boyce

My husband, Daniel and I, love anything outdoors and active. You can often find us hiking a trail or on a walk. I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee to go along with any new book on counseling or theology. Although truthfully you will often find me flipping through an old cookbook, finding something “new” to cook from scratch. We live in Pensacola, FL and can be found, well really never, at the beach. 😉 I am excited to be a part of The Addiction Connection because I want to help equip disciples to bring the Hope of Christ to hurting people. My heart longs to lament with those who are hurting and rejoice loudly when the Gospel helps them overcome!

The Addiction Connection is Here for You!

The Addiction Connection is a network of ministries who offer hope in Jesus for those struggling with addiction of any kind. Our network of encouraging resources, ministries, and biblical programs that stretch across America and the world will always point people to truth in Jesus Christ for answers.

Quick Links

• Need a Biblical Residential Program? Here are some we recommend.
• Need a Biblical Non-Residential Program? Here are the ones we’d recommend. 
• Here is a list of people we have trained in biblical addiction counseling through our Commissioning Program who you can reach out to for hope and help.
• Looking for biblical addiction counseling training? Find out about our Commissioning Program HERE.
• Are you a leader who wants to help those who are addicted? Check out this disciple-making curriculum we created just for you entitled Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED.
• Want to reach out to families of those struggling with addiction? Family Help for Addiction: A Care Group Study can be used by your church or ministry.
• Does your church want to start a group for parents of prodigals? This new COURSE is for you! 
• Looking for addiction resources, courses, curriculum? Find out more HERE.
• Are you more of a podcast-listener-while-you-get-things-done? The Addiction Connection Podcast is just for you!