This post was originally published on June 4, 2015.
We often hear that laughter is the best medicine—but can it cure a 20-year heroin addiction? According to comedian/producer McCarton Ackerman, absolutely not. But he does feel strongly that being able to have a sense of humor about your addiction can take the shame out of it and help with recovery. That is why he has teamed up with Jessica Kirson (The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing) and a host of other veteran comedians to create Dry Humor, a stand-up comedy show for the clean and sober.
How About a No Drink Minimum?
Though Ackerman doesn’t recommend an hour to an hour-and-a-half of chuckling instead of inpatient treatment, he does note the importance of laughter for those fresh off of drugs and alcohol. While anyone can walk into a comedy club (assuming there’s one in proximity), chances are they’ll not only be surrounded by booze and people drinking but also typically be required to order at least two drinks themselves (sure, a Diet Coke is a beverage but let’s get real—free booze can easily justify a drink or 200).
While addicts in longer-term sobriety probably wouldn’t be triggered by this kind of environment, those putting together their first few years may find this much more troublesome. Ackerman’s plan is to cut out the drunken two-drink middleman and bring the booze-free show to rehabs, meeting club houses and 12-step conventions all over the English speaking world (American jokes are way less funny in Punjabi).
Inspired to Help
Though Ackerman isn’t sober himself, he is no stranger to the world of recovery. With a dad who is the Medical Director at Silver Hill and a gaggle of sober comedian friends, Ackerman is inspired by those who have battled and overcome addiction. He has gone on to become a writer not only here but also at The Fix, Rehabs.com and Recovery.org, and his celebrity interviews about addiction have been featured on Salon, Jezebel, The Daily Mail and The Advocate.
Ackerman won’t be performing much on the shows since he’s committed to the idea that Dry Humor isn’t just meant to inspire belly laughs but also the belief that dreams can come true in sobriety (yes I’m biased but let me just say that hopefully stand-up comedy isn’t one of them because it’s a really bad job for an alcoholic, trust me).
Knowing Their Audience
Of course, Ackerman, who will be serving as host, won’t be able to open the sets with the ubiquitous question, “You guys drinking tonight?” But he’s got ways around that. “I’ll most likely quote The Breakfast Club and go with, “So, what’s your poison? Yeah, guy in the back who looks like they just got cast in a remake of Trainspotting? What are you in for?”
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