James is a 23-year-old man struggling with severe alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. Sent to a grueling detoxification process at a Minnesota rehabilitation clinic, he fiercely resists the facility's rigid Twelve-Step program. He relies on his own willpower rather than traditional therapy, often struggling with sudden eruptions of rage he refers to as "the Fury."

Lilly is a 22-year-old patient recovering from a crack cocaine addiction. She carries severe trauma from her youth, having been forced into sex work by her mother at the age of 13 before eventually fleeing to live with her grandmother. She wears oversized clothing and bears physical scars, yet remains emotionally open and compassionate.

Leonard is a middle-aged mobster from Las Vegas undergoing treatment for cocaine addiction. He projects quiet authority, frequently wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt, small silver glasses, and a large Rolex. Despite his criminal background and tough exterior, he demonstrates profound patience and steps into a mentor role for James.

Lynne is James's mother, an affluent woman currently living in Japan. She presents a highly polished appearance with perfect makeup and diamond jewelry, contrasting sharply with her son's chaotic condition. She carries heavy guilt over an undiagnosed ear infection James suffered as an infant, fearing it caused his lifelong anger.

Bob is James's father, living in Japan with his wife, Lynne. He dresses in conservative, expensive clothing like khakis and blue blazers. He struggles to comprehend the depths of his son's substance abuse but commits to the clinic's family counseling program to aid the recovery process.

Bob is James's brother. He brings James several gifts during his stay in rehab, including a copy of the Tao Te Ching, a book of Chinese philosophy that becomes a major source of comfort for James.

Ken is the Unit Recovery Counselor at the Minnesota clinic. He strongly believes the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are the only effective treatment for addiction. He frequently clashes with James over the younger man's refusal to follow the program's rules or submit to higher powers.

Lincoln is the unit supervisor at the clinic. He strictly enforces the facility's regulations and initially sides against James during disputes with other patients, demanding total compliance with the recovery program.

Joanne is a psychologist at the treatment center. She approaches James with patience and empathy, diagnosing his depression and lack of self-esteem. She suggests his deep-seated anger stems from early childhood experiences, though she still encourages him to follow the Twelve Steps.

Hank is the clinic's driver and a recovering alcoholic himself. He lost his house due to his addiction but maintains a positive, supportive attitude toward the current patients. He shows James early kindness by lending him a warm jacket.

Miles is a middle-aged Black man and a Federal Judge undergoing treatment for alcoholism. His addiction destroyed his marriage, prompting him to seek help. He plays the clarinet and occasionally asks James for advice on making progress in his own recovery.

Roy is a patient at the clinic who positions himself as a model resident. He takes his assigned cleaning duties seriously and frequently threatens to report James for rule violations, causing significant friction between them.

John is a fellow patient at the clinic who survived severe childhood sexual abuse. He struggles with deeply ingrained trauma and inappropriate boundaries, leading to awkward and occasionally confrontational interactions with James.

Larry is one of James's early roommates at the clinic. He carries the heavy burden of living with HIV and expresses deep fear that he may have infected his wife and newborn twins.

Warren is a patient at the clinic who shows James quiet kindness during his severe withdrawal. When James soils his clothing, Warren lends him an expensive, starched white shirt.

Doctor Baker is the clinic's physician. He performs painful medical procedures on James, including closing wounds with 41 stitches and resetting his broken nose, and later delivers dire news about the state of James's internal organs.

Also known as "Mikey the Nose," Michelangelo is a wealthy man who adopted Leonard when he was an orphaned child. He provided Leonard with a loving home before they relocated to Las Vegas as a family.

Geena is Michelangelo's wife who helped adopt and raise Leonard. She provided a loving home environment for him before her illness.

Ed is one of Leonard's friends at the clinic. He deals with an alcohol addiction and a propensity for violence, but frequently engages in wisecracking camaraderie with his peers.

Ted is a drug dealer and thief who skipped bail after facing serious criminal charges. He forms part of Leonard's close-knit circle at the treatment facility.

Lilly's grandmother lives in Chicago and provides her with a safe haven after she runs away from her abusive mother. She pays for Lilly's treatment at the clinic and serves as her primary source of familial support.

Lilly's mother is a sex worker addicted to heroin who introduced Lilly to drugs at age 10 and forced her into sex work at 13.

Michelle was a popular cheerleader who befriended James when he was 12. She tragically died in an accident while secretly on a date, an event for which her parents and friends unfairly blamed James.