If you’ve watched the movie Four Good Days, you probably walked away feeling a little raw. It’s a brutal watch. Seeing Mila Kunis’s character, Molly, struggle through the skin-crawling reality of detox while Glenn Close watches helplessly—it’s a lot to process. But for those who don’t know, Molly isn't a fictional creation. She’s based on a real person named Amanda Wendler.
Naturally, the big question everyone asks after the credits roll is: Is Amanda Wendler still sober? The short answer is yes. But the long answer is way more interesting and, honestly, a lot more hopeful than the movie’s cliffhangers might lead you to believe.
The Real Story Behind the Screen
The film was adapted from a 2016 Washington Post article by Eli Saslow titled "How’s Amanda?" That article captured a specific, agonizing moment in time. It wasn't a "happily ever after" piece. It was a "is she going to make it through the week?" piece.
In real life, Amanda’s journey was even more chaotic than the film portrayed. We're talking about a decade-long battle with heroin and pills. She didn't just walk into one rehab and get "fixed." She actually went through more than 20 different treatment centers. Think about that for a second. Twenty tries.
Most people would have given up after the fifth or the tenth. Her mother, Libby Alexander (played by Glenn Close), didn't give up either, though she certainly had to set some terrifyingly hard boundaries to survive it herself.
Is Amanda Wendler Still Sober Today?
As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, Amanda Wendler has maintained her sobriety. She has become a vocal advocate for recovery, frequently appearing in interviews to share that life on the other side is actually possible.
She’s often quoted saying, "We do recover."
It sounds like a simple slogan, but for someone who spent years under a bridge or scraping floors for drug remnants, it’s a radical statement. Amanda has been open about the fact that her recovery isn't a finished project. It’s a daily maintenance thing. She uses therapy and support meetings to stay on track.
Why People Worry
People often search for her status because the movie ends on a note of cautious optimism rather than total victory. In the film, there's that tension about the drug Vivitrol—an antagonist that blocks the high from opioids. In real life, that was a massive turning point for her. It gave her the physical "breathing room" to start fixing the mental part of the addiction.
Honestly, the "is she still sober" search is a testament to how much people connected with her story. We want her to win because her win feels like a win for everyone struggling with the opioid crisis.
What Her Life Looks Like Now
Amanda isn't just "not using drugs." She’s actually living.
She has worked to rebuild the relationships that were incinerated during her years of active use. If you’ve ever known someone in the middle of a heroin addiction, you know the trail of broken trust they leave behind. Rebuilding that takes years, not days.
- Public Speaking: She’s spent a lot of time doing press for the film to humanize the statistics we see on the news.
- Advocacy: She works to lower the stigma around medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Connection: She remains very close with her mother, Libby, who was her "person" through the darkest years.
The Reality of the Opioid Crisis
It's easy to look at Amanda as a "celebrity" recovery story, but she’s really a symbol of a much larger issue. When she first went public, overdose deaths were hitting record highs. They still are.
Amanda’s story matters because it proves that the "junkie" stereotype is a lie. She was a girl from a good home in Michigan. She was a daughter, a friend, and a person with a future. Her story reminds us that addiction doesn't care about your zip code.
Lessons We Can Take From Her Journey
If you’re looking at Amanda’s life because you’re struggling or someone you love is, there are a few heavy-hitting takeaways here.
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First, the "four days" thing is real. The transition from active use to the first shot of a blocker like Vivitrol is the most dangerous window. Amanda made it, but she barely made it.
Second, boundaries save lives. Libby Alexander had to lock her doors. She had to say no. It felt cruel at the time, but it was the only thing that kept both of them alive long enough for Amanda to choose recovery.
Lastly, you cannot "quit quitting." Amanda failed dozens of times. If she had stopped trying after the 19th rehab, we wouldn't be talking about her today. Sobriety isn't a straight line; it's a jagged, messy, upwards trend.
How to Support Someone Like Amanda
If you’re currently in the shoes of Libby Alexander—the mother, the friend, the worried onlooker—understand that you can’t force the sobriety. But you can be there when the "window" opens.
- Educate yourself on Narcan: It’s a literal lifesaver. Keep it in your car or your purse.
- Look into MAT: Medication-assisted treatment is often the difference between life and death for opioid users.
- Find your own support: Groups like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon are for the family, not the addict. You need a place to put your fear.
Amanda Wendler’s sobriety is a miracle, but it’s a miracle built on a lot of boring, hard, daily work. She’s still clean, she’s still fighting, and she’s still proving that the ending of the movie was just the beginning of her real life.
If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out to the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. Don't wait for the "perfect" moment to ask for help, because in the world of addiction, perfect doesn't exist. There is only today.
Next Steps for Recovery Support:
- Check local listings for SMART Recovery or 12-Step meetings in your area to build a support network.
- Consult with a medical professional specifically about Vivitrol or Suboxone if you are looking for medical assistance in tapering off opioids.
- Read the original article "How's Amanda?" by Eli Saslow to get the full, unvarnished context of the struggle that preceded the film.