![]() "He believes in showing all aspects of addiction and a person's struggle no matter how dark, ugly, or gritty it can seem." "Sam is a recovering addict himself, and has been very open about that," she shares. Steinman is also proud of how this storyline has been crafted on the show, and points to Levinson himself as the reason for that. "I think it's irresponsible to only show active addiction, and not at least show opportunities and hopeful experiences of recovery." "My only real hope is that they continue to show accurate representations of recovery and hope," Damioli says. By the end of season two, Rue seems to be more determined than ever to try to stay sober. Ali is a confidante who understands what Rue's going through and can help guide her to recovery, while providing an example of what comes after addiction. "This is the difficult part of caring for someone with an addiction that is important not to forget."ĭamioli also notes that by utilizing the character of Ali (Colman Domingo), Rue's sponsor, the show is able to ground the addiction in reality. "The show makes us care for and feel for Rue even when we don't like or agree with her behaviors," says Michael Damioli, LCSW, CSAT, clinical director at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR). There's so much stigma surrounding drug use, and the show runners haven't shied away from this. ![]() This is hard for anyone, but especially an adolescent who is from a family that is already grieving the loss of her father."Īnd what is perhaps most accurate about how "Euphoria" presents Rue's addiction, is how human they've kept her character throughout the series. For someone like Rue, whose family is not wealthy and has had issues getting insurance to cover her care, she has to not only consider cost, but also admit to herself and the people who love her that she has relapsed and let them down. "It stops becoming a choice once someone is dependent and they need professional help to stop. "There is nothing glamorous about withdrawal or addiction," Kowalski explains. "Like all mental health disorders, substance use disorders occur along a spectrum," says Jennifer Kowalski, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks in Cheshire. have called out "Euphoria" for glamorizing drug use, especially this season, addiction specialists largely disagree with this sentiment. Someone struggling with addiction is going to go straight to the medicine cabinet and see if there are any pills that can hold them over if they are having high cravings." For example, when she is going into a house to steal from strangers, she wouldn't go to the jewelry or look for money. "I was sent the scripts and Sam, Zendaya, and I sat down to discuss certain physical actions she would take to show how her body would feel and discussed how an addict's mind can work differently, especially in the desperation and pain of withdrawal. "Many shows and movies have stereotypical 'Hollywood-esque' symptoms like shivering in a corner and vomiting when showing someone that has stopped using drugs suddenly, but Sam wanted Zendaya to know the specific nuances and struggles of an addict," Steinman tells POPSUGAR. ![]() POPSUGAR spoke with mental health experts to get their take on the show's portrayal of addiction, as well as guidance for those dealing with it in real life. By many accounts, the raw and painful struggle that we see Rue endure throughout the series is a blindingly accurate look at what millions of people are going through every day. The show's creators worked with experts who treat substance use disorders to craft this story as accurately as possible. Like so many others struggling with substance use disorders, Rue is uncooperative much of the time, leaving her mom, sister, and friends scared and unsure of how to help.įor anyone who has been around addiction, "Euphoria" paints a terrifying yet realistic picture. While season one of the show introduces Rue's drug use, it isn't until season two - when Rue begins experimenting with harder drugs and even selling them - that we see the extent to which her addiction is ruining her life. Although she is seemingly on a better path by the finale, Rue still has a long journey ahead of her. After using drugs as a coping mechanism after her dad's death - and overdosing while at home with her younger sister, Gia - Rue's addiction only grows worse in season two. In almost every episode of "Euphoria," it seems like Rue (Zendaya) falls deeper and deeper into addiction.
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