THE "TENTACLES" OF ADDICTION
Substance use disorder is a medical condition that affects a person's brain and behavior. It changes the way they understand the world around them. This is often caused by both genetic and environmental factors, and it can result in impaired health, reduced physical ability, erratic sensory input, and decreased mental wellness. Substance use can also redirect attention, energy, and focus on satisfying substance dependence as opposed to personal relationships and commitments. Consequently, substance misuse poses a challenge to the maintenance of many elements that give rise to successful relationships.
We can imagine the “tentacles” of addiction reaching out and impacting different aspects of our protagonist Harry’s life. For example, Harry misses deadlines, fights with Paul (the human) about his relapses, and isn’t able to show up for Paul (the dog) when his pet needs him most. Harry is certain that his harmful use of alcohol doesn’t impact his career or the people he loves. He even hides it from Louise. Despite Harry’s certainty, his alcohol misuse results in broken trust between friends, lovers, and colleagues.
ADDICTION AND FAMILY According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, one in every five adult Americans has lived with a relative suffering from alcohol use disorder during their adolescence. Unfortunately, this kind of early exposure to alcohol misuse can increase a child’s likelihood to develop a harmful relationship with substances themselves. Children of parents with substance use disorders are eight times more likely to develop disorders of their own. Siblings—like Paul the human— are also a part of this narrative, as they might take the role of the “responsible one” during times of relapse or crisis.
ADDICTION AND RELATIONSHIPS It can be difficult to tell if your romantic partner has a substance use disorder, especially if you don’t live with them. Louise finds out about Harry’s relationship with alcohol gradually, and not exclusively through Harry himself. Counseling and couples therapy can help both parties learn healthier ways to interact with each other, communicate openly, and manage the social and emotional impacts of addiction.
ADDICTION AND CAREER Addiction can have an impact on an individual’s relationship with their job and their finances. Money problems are cited as a symptom of addiction or substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by mental health professionals. Substances are generally expensive, as is the treatment for substance dependence. Grappling with such all- consuming substance use may lead to “absenteeism” (the practice of regularly staying away from work or school) in one’s professional life. The relationship between addiction and financial trouble can be cyclical, as many addictive behaviors begin as a method of escapism from personal strife such as overspending.
8 ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY
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