Father and Son Beat Addiction Together in New Film

A father watching his son battle addiction found the courage to face his own demons, and together they climbed out of a darkness that nearly claimed both their lives.

"The Spiral," a documentary premiering Friday at White Rock Community Centre, tells the raw, honest story of Ryan Nielsen's journey from severe substance abuse to becoming a harm reduction coordinator. What makes this story different is how his recovery intertwined with his father Darin's own battle with addiction.

Director Syed Zeshan Ahmed, a Peninsula-based filmmaker, wanted to tell an addiction story that doesn't fit the typical narrative. "It's talking about family and 'silent' usage," Ahmed explains, noting how Nielsen hid his addiction from coworkers and employers until an overdose forced everything into the open.

Nielsen's struggle started young, rooted in his father's addiction issues that began when Darin was just 10 years old. The documentary doesn't shy away from difficult truths. Nielsen describes opioid withdrawal as "like the worst you've ever felt, times 100," pain so intense it drove him to suicide attempts starting at age 13.

But "The Spiral" earns its title from what happened next. The spiral that pulled Nielsen down became the same path that lifted him back up, one difficult turn at a time.

When Darin realized he might lose his son, something shifted. He confronted his own reflection and decided to become the role model Ryan needed. That choice gave Ryan the strength to keep fighting.

Why This Inspires

Ahmed spent months looking for someone whose story could offer real hope to families trapped in similar cycles. When Sources Community Resources introduced him to Nielsen, he knew he'd found something special: a story about recovery that doesn't promise easy answers but proves change is possible.

The documentary shows that recovery isn't a straight line. There are relapses, hard choices, and moments when giving up seems easier than continuing. But it also shows the power of a father and son refusing to let go of each other, even in their darkest moments.

Nielsen now dedicates his life to helping others caught in addiction's grip. His father stands beside him, both men transformed by choosing love over surrender.

The Canadian premiere happens Friday, April 24, at 6 p.m., admission by donation. Two lives saved, countless more to reach.