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Analysis Of Requiem For A Dream

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The movie, Requiem for a Dream (Selby & Mansell, 2000) exposes the multiple faces of addiction. Addiction can change a person’s identity and therefore, impacts each person differently. This movie explores the life of four addicts who push the boundaries of their own lives leaving the viewer to wonder, how far will they go to use drugs? The focus of this paper is on what addiction looks like for the character, Harry Goldfarb.
In order to understand Harry’s addiction, we first must understand what happens in Harry’s life. Requiem for a Dream (Selby & Mansell, 2000), is set in Coney Island and begins with the relationship between Harry and his mother Sara. In the beginning, Sara becomes obsessed with her weight and starts taking diet pills. …show more content…

Harry expresses no desire to stop use and is always looking for the next opportunity to use. Therefore, he is always on the search for drugs, selling drugs, or using drugs. When he does not have opioids Harry is desperate to find more. Harry’s ongoing use creates barriers in his relationship with his mother as he is not able to be a part of her life. Harry is not interested in having a regular job and resorts to selling drugs to make a living. This form of employment creates interpersonal problems for Harry as the urge to use his product is high and the consequences surrounding this line of work is dangerous.
Using opioids also creates a rift in his relationship with Marion. When they are not using they fight, and the only way to stop the fighting pushes them further apart. Marion and Harry’s conflicts arise because of opioid use, yet neither one is willing to stop. As a result of Harry’s opioid use his left arm becomes infected, even though his arm is in pain, black, and smells badly Harry continues to shoot up. The disregard for his infected arm results in Harry having his arm amputated.
The loss of Harry’s arm is not unheard of as bacterial infections are commonly comorbid with opioid use disorder. Many infections are caused due to unclean injection rituals. In addition, to comorbid bacterial infections, the use of other substances is seen frequently with opioid use disorder.

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