Introduction
People, households, and communities are all impacted by substance abuse. Dependency on drugs has a cascading effect, resulting in many high-cost physical, emotional, social, and general health concerns. Apart from delighting the general audience, films can raise public consciousness about concerns that affect individuals worldwide. This post describes a character, Elise, portrayed in the movie, Godfather of Harlem, who is struggling with substance abuse. The post explains the disorder, abusive behavior, and symptoms Elise went through.
Substance Abuse of Elise from Godfather of Harlem
The movie is about the struggle for power and control of a drug syndicate where an African American mobster, Ellsworth Johnson, fights to reclaim his neighborhood after over a decade in prison. There is rampant substance abuse among locals, businesses are struggling, and an Italian mafia family controls the supply of drugs. While the black mobster was in prison, his daughter, Elise, became dependent on drugs, and it was her addiction that made Johnson resolve to take control of the drug trade from the Italians (Brancato & Ridley, 2019). The character portrayed mild substance abuse disorder since she neglected taking care of her daughter and had interpersonal relationship problems with her parents.
The abusive behavior the character portrayed was neglecting her parental responsibility and engaging in crime to acquire funds and purchase the drug. Heroin fills the nervous system with dopamine, disrupting the critical equilibrium of neurotransmitters. In the film, Elise’s withdrawal symptoms included anxiety, depression, tension, anger, and poor behavior management as she lowered her drug consumption. However, the portrayal missed some significant symptoms of the disorder such as weight loss and lying about substance use. The best treatment for this addiction would be applying to special governmental treatment program. However, recognizing the nature of dependency, living substance-free, and avoiding relapse are treatment suggestions displayed in the movie. Elise’s abuse of prescription opioid drugs, consumption of stolen opioid painkillers, or abuse of illegitimately acquired heroin were all linked to substance abuse disorder. The disorder is usually a long-term condition that results in recurrent sickness, linked to much higher incidences of morbidity and death in the community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, substance abuse has devastating effects on victims’ health, relationships and the community. Elise neglected the major parental role of raising her daughter and experienced interpersonal problems with her parents. The character meets two criteria of the DSM-5 qualifying signs and symptoms; therefore, she has mild substance use disorder.
Reference
Brancato, C. (Producer), & Ridley, J. (Director). (2019). Godfather of Harlem [Motion picture]. United States: Disney-ABC Domestic Television.