At first glance, the connection between movies and addiction seems a bit overblown; one is entertaining and one is Hell. What connects them are the concepts of Cunning, Perplexing and Powerful. Every person in addiction recovery hears those words over and over again, often learning the terms by heart. But they are abstract concepts and are often not clear in a person’s mind. Movies, on the other hand, can offer an emotional and visual example of something that would otherwise lack true understanding. Learning from movies is possible; they offer a completely vicarious experience, touching each of our senses.
Movies are more than just entertainment. They are an artistically designed product that can indirectly teach. A really good movie, with a compelling story, interesting characters, and factual information woven into the plot, offers the perfect teacher in making a lasting impression. We are drawn, we feel something, we wake up to an experience and we remember. In movies, the story is the first thing that involves us. For a short period of time, we are part of the experience that is taking place right in front of us. We can see and hear what the characters are doing. Good characters and superb acting remind us of people we know, or of ourselves and our own experiences; we can relate. An actor’s facial expression or body language can make us feel the same way; His touch becomes our touch. Well-paced action keeps us engaged and our attention focused on the moment. Time is suspended. Music brings the whole experience together and opens our emotions to literally feel the experience. And, if we add popcorn or candy, movies can give us a real experience that touches all of our physical senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. An experience that awakens all of our senses is an experience that can be used therapeutically for behavior change.
Cunning
Addiction means we’ve been taken; a crazy jockey rides us. We say and do things we think we would never say or do. And yet we do. No matter what the consequences are, we do them. This brings up the first word of the addiction mantra: Cunning. Cunning means cunning, calculating, cunning or cunning. After years of recovery, you may wait until you’re tired, hungry, or angry, and then suddenly arise like a thought out of nowhere… you may even feel it shoot from behind and pop into your head: “It’s been ten years, I’m sure I could have a drink now. Or, I haven’t missed it in all these years, so I can’t really be an addict.” The cunning of addiction tricks us into believing what is not true. For an example of cunning personified, watch the movie RIVER WILD with Kevin Bacon and Meryl Streep. Kevin Bacon’s character is cunning. He seduces others into believing in him by acting in a friendly, helpful, and harmless manner. He constantly watches and reads people, and gets to know them quickly. He waits for the right moment to attack and take advantage of others. He looks for his weak point and attacks from that direction. Deep down, he is cold-blooded, ruthless, and cruel. In addiction counseling, it’s learning that we’re in the grip of something very cunning until we become vigilant.
Baffling
Remember Bill Macy in FARGO? He gives an excellent example of the confusion and denial that add up to bewilder. He does not see that his life is crumbling before him. He may feel it physically, but that’s part of what pushes him deeper and deeper. He lies to himself and to others. He believes his lies. Everything will be fine. He tells lies to one to cover up for another. We see it unbalance before our eyes, just as others can with us when we are in denial, until that moment when we come face to face with the power of addiction. And that power is not loving and kind. It will destroy us.
Powerful
Now I ask you to imagine a power beyond your current imagination. Unless you’ve literally lived through an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or other seismic rebellion of nature, you can’t really embody the true meaning of powerful. Unless, of course, you’ve been consumed by addiction. Watch George Clooney in PERFECT STORM. Throughout the film, he fights against the converging forces of nature one by one, getting deeper and deeper into the maelstrom until he can’t get out. Suddenly the realization dawns, with perfect clarity, full awareness of the real power of nature he is facing as he cranes his head to see the wall of water crashing down on him. It is a visceral experience of utter helplessness. That is the power of addiction; so deep that you can’t get out by yourself.
There’s a reason people go to 12-step meetings. They are a reminder to be alert, to always remember that the predator, Addiction, will find our weak point and then attack. That’s clever. There’s a reason to listen to friends, family, and the law when they tell us that our lives have become unmanageable. And there’s a reason to be aware of just how deep we’re sinking into habits of destructive behavior before we plunge off the cliff. The power of addiction can consume us. It’s just what it does.
There is a way to raise awareness and gain enlightenment that traditional addiction counseling can help. Go rent RIVER WILD, FARGO and PERFECT STORM. Truly understand the concepts of Cunning, Perplexing and Powerful. Then go to a 12-step meeting or therapy session and have an honest conversation. It’s amazing how honesty can speed up the recovery process.