Learning About Addiction from Succession?

December 2023

Mental Health

"Besides, Succession highlights a significant theme that challenges the common belief that wealth and power act as buffers against addiction. "

 

Succession, which is an Emmy-winning American drama, hooked many viewers with breakthrough performances, the complexities of family dynamics, and its dark sense of humor. In the series, the Roy family owns a huge media and entertainment company and there is a constant sibling rivalry between Kendall and his other two siblings, Roman and Siobhan, to impress their father, Logan, who is struggling with deciding a successor to his empire, Waystar Royco. In the opening credits, the four siblings are lined up side-by-side and when the camera pans over their feet, we see that Kendall has the tidiest and most disciplined posture and assumes a ready stance.

Throughout the series, Kendall is presented as a sophisticated character who frequently battles for his father's acceptance. In the same way that a kid may try to win over a parent, he tries to show that he is deserving of his father's regard, admiration, and trust. This need for approval from his father is a complicated interaction between wanting to imitate his father's success, recognition, and power and also feeling the desire to develop his own identity and independence.

However, maintaining his self-esteem and living his potential is not an easy journey for Kendall under the shadow of an entitled, egocentric, and manipulative father. Each time he steps forward, his father reminds him that he is not good enough.

In addition, throughout the series, we learn that Kendall's mother lacks the ability to show empathy with his feelings and that the Roy children did not have a chance to establish a deep and affectionate relationship with her.

At the very beginning of the series, we also find out that Kendall has a history of addiction problems and attended a rehab program. In the first episode, his father refers to rehab as "the nuthouse" and treats him disrespectfully although Kendall succeeds in maintaining his sobriety.

In further episodes, Logan plants stories about Kendall's relapse to the media when he is sober. Moreover, his wife, Rava, does not believe him and insinuates that he is still using drugs.

Labeling is one of the most important problems for individuals dealing with addiction problems. Labeling someone can cause stigmatization and prejudice. This stigma, which frequently results from misunderstandings and unfavorable perceptions, makes it more difficult for people to access support and assistance.

Those labels have an impact on how people view themselves and their identities. Internalizing the label may further deepen their addictive behaviors and obstruct their efforts to heal. The cycle of addiction may be reinforced by this categorization, which can become self-fulfilling.

In the first season, Kendall faces his father's humiliation and rejection, being ousted from the company, and strained relationships within the family, particularly with his siblings, as well as with his ex-wife. Despite these struggles in his life, we see that Kendall avoids alcoholic beverages.

In Episode 7 "Austerlitz" which takes place in a bar, he orders sparkling water. The bartender recounts a sad tale about his brother and a dog, which disinterests Kendall. However, upon hearing that the dog he paid to be cared for was shot dead, Kendall's mood shifts, and he orders a stronger drink- a double Smirnoff rocks, highlighting his sense of disappointment and disillusionment.

He then goes to the barman's home and is about to inhale some meth for the first time. Kendall's journey away from sobriety starts at this point and continues with adverse consequences due to failures in his decision-making process.

Therefore, this series offers the audience an opportunity to understand the lifelong and fragile nature of addiction. Individuals having difficulties with addiction problems live their entire lives surrounded by potentially triggering stimuli that would be of little importance to anyone else.

Therefore, the emotional support of those close to them provides an important foundation for building and maintaining this resilience. In a parallel Succession world, if Kendall had been supported and accepted by his family members and loved ones, the lapse might not have turned into a relapse.

A relapse is a longer-lasting and more substantial return to the prior pattern of behavior, whereas a lapse is a brief, isolated episode of engaging in an undesirable activity. Relapses frequently point to the need to reassess and enhance one's recovery strategy. Failures can act as early warning flags, giving people the chance to reflect on what happened and make changes to avoid a full-blown relapse.

Besides, Succession highlights a significant theme that challenges the common belief that wealth and power act as buffers against addiction. The show underscores that, despite immense wealth, individuals in privileged and powerful positions can still grapple with addiction and its associated challenges.

Academic studies often emphasize that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may face more pronounced addiction risks due to various socioeconomic factors. However, the characters in the show, particularly Kendall, embody this struggle, illustrating that addiction is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including personal experiences, familial dynamics, and psychological pressures.

As Johann Hari said in his illuminating TED Talk, "The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection."

 

By Merve

Merve is a volunteer at WE CARE. She is a clinical psychologist and academic researcher focusing on behavioral addictions. She also finds joy in immersing herself in popular culture, analyzing characters, plot dynamics, and the underlying themes presented in these narratives. She thinks that it is a unique lens through which she brings psychological theories into daily life, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.