MovieChat Forums > Perfect High (2015) Discussion > As someone who as struggled with addicti...

As someone who as struggled with addiction

posted 9 years ago by OnMyHonorAsAStark
21 replies | jump to latest

I didn't really expect much from Lifetime but I can honestly say I felt they did a good job with this movie. I felt triggered by a lot of the movie because it really did stay true to the subject.
I wasn't as naive as Amanda was but I still felt her suffering. I also related to most of her terrible decision making that seemed to make so much sense at the time (smoking and going to the "cheaper" version of the high) I also really like Bella Thorne.
They really did a good job of portraying the withdrawals, I felt. Especially when her friend asks her if she's sick because she keeps sniffling.
I hope this movie helped someone.. Heroin definitely does not discriminate. It's an epidemic that's going after all these "perfect students" that you would just never imagine on dope. Heroin doesn't care who you are!

[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

While heroin doesn't care who you are, you also aren't a victim here----you even allude to this by mentioning the "terrible decision making" and that's the crux of the problem (that it seems wasn't sufficiently addressed with you in rehab or you simply are choosing to ignore)----if you start using, you might get hooked, so don't.

Ultimately, if she had taken the pain killers responsibly and listened to her doctor, she never would've wound up where she did. She isn't the victim, here she's responsible for her own addiction (as were you) AND her own recovery (as are you and I commend you for it).

Additionally, as I mentioned in another thread, the "epidemic" is a bit overblown (makes for good drama/if it bleeds, it leads), it's increased from 1.8% to 2.4% in the course of a decade or two....that merits more education and information (as well as closer prescription monitoring), but it certainly doesn't mean every pampered suburban kid is gonna become a junkie (or even a recreational user).

Fact is, just as it was when I was teen (and other drugs were at "epidemic" proportions), don't mess with that and when you're prescribed something, be responsible with it.

[–] OnMyHonorAsAStark 9 years ago

I don't have much time right now to respond the way I want to but something I want to clear up is that I don't believe I am a victim and I never called myself one.

[–] DuchessAngel37 9 years ago

Wow. Soapbox preacher, party of one.

(that it seems wasn't sufficiently addressed with you in rehab or you simply are choosing to ignore)

Are you kidding me with this? This person simply spoke about how this movie seemed like an accurate portrayal and you're talking down to them about their recovery?

As someone who has never dabbled in any kind of drug - to the point that I only smoked weed once when I was in my early 20s - I certainly wouldn't fancy myself qualified to simply say "don't mess with that" or "be responsible."

It's often a combination of things that allow some people to become addicted to things, and poor decision-making is often the least influential factor.
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[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

Oh I get that and felt the film failed to show that. Which I already pointed out, BTW, It's well established (and has been since forever) that heroin's really, really bad for you.

[–] Tornado-chaser 9 years ago

Yeah and 3 of the 4 main characters recognized that. They all freaked out when they found out it was heroin, except for the girl who died. It is not clear whether she tried to quit cold turkey like Amanda and her boyfriend attempted to do before trying to taper off.

Sadly by the time they realized what it was, it seemed it was too late to do anything except check into rehab and any other attempted solutions would likely result in severe long-term effects or death :/

[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

Actually, they were already addicts before they were using heroin. The "tricked into doing it" part is also quite laughable

[–] Tornado-chaser 9 years ago

Did we watch the same movie? They were shocked. If they'd already been doing heroin, they woulda been like wow this is cool. Not texting the dealer asking what the heck he gave them and getting his reply he "thought they knew"

[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

They weren't heroin addicts, but they were all addicts and dope fiends, already. It's why they were "dope sick" when they couldn't get their fixes, it's precisely why they moved on to taking heroin, a stronger, cheaper high. They were all already addicted to oxy (also an opiate).

BTW, the "got hooked accidentally" is a verrryyyy cliched trope in such media to maintain sympathy for the protagonist. Because somehow "it's not their fault" (even though, again, had they not been abusing opioid drugs all along, they never would've been led to the point in which they were doing heroin.

I'd suggest you better inform yourself. Or watch again.

[–] Tornado-chaser 9 years ago

I'd suggest you drop the condescending attitude. Thanks.

[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

Thanks for confirming you acknowledge my correction to your erroneous interpretation!

[–] kelliemurray 9 years ago

Was that condescension? I thought it was just bitchiness lol.

Eat some makeup because you are really ugly on the inside - Olivia Blois Sharpe

[–] Tornado-chaser 9 years ago

Exactly.

[–] kelliemurray 9 years ago

News flash. Narcotic addiction can and does happen whether you take it responsibly or not. People who have chronic pain and have to take narcotics daily become addicted even if they take the required dosage or even less than prescribed. I know...it happened to me. So don't preach like a holy roller about something when you don't know as much as you think you do.

Eat some makeup because you are really ugly on the inside - Olivia Blois Sharpe

[–] QuilaGee 8 years ago

Thank you!! Addiction can happen to anyone, and reading these "be responsible" and "just stay away, it's as simple as that" posts and the various reviews on this movie are making me so angry. I can only assume that they've never been affected by this first hand - whether it's themselves or a loved one. I feel as though this film depicts the true spiral of opiat addiction, and how it can still be a struggle to move on even once you've entered rehab.

[–] wolf_songs_moon 7 years ago

@ kelliemurray, you are 100% spot on!!

[–] kreome435 9 years ago

Ultimately, if she had taken the pain killers responsibly and listened to her doctor, she never would've wound up where she did"

taking pain killers responsibly can still get you hooked, if you have a debilitating injury that requires constant pain management (i.e. broken back issues) try being prescribed over 240 mg of oxy a day and not becoming chemically dependent, good luck.

[–] deetdee12 9 years ago

Yeah, nice strawman. This wasn't the case with her----she had a knee injury and abused her painkillers, per the medical definition of it. To say nothing of her friends were already substance abusers, entirely without sustaining any injuries---which I had clearly pointed out.

You're talking about something far more severe, with a much stronger prescription. To say nothing of the percentage of addicts from responsible, as prescribed medication usage is very, very low (like less than 1%).

But I get you're seeking something to absolve the addict of responsibility, here, which was largely what the movie was looking to do, as well. Again, VERRRRYYYY common literary trope to have an addict become "accidentally" hooked so they'll appear more sympathetic.

But in this case we had four kids already fully addicted (as, again, I already pointed out) to the point of being dope sick when they could obtain a fix---and already patronizing a drug dealer.

[–] amazingm08 9 years ago

Nope this movie was stupid and the girl off Scotfree of any consequences on the end after what she did and i think she should've been killed instead of her friend

[–] JVIvies 9 years ago

In need of rehab yourself,eh Amazing?????

[–] amazingm08 9 years ago

Yeah but were never told of the process just what happened to her drug addicted boyfriend

[–] BlueeRain 9 years ago

I just hate seeing all these kids, including 2 family members, even trying it the first time.

When I was in High School we knew 1 time and you could be hooked. I knew never to try it. If you don't do something you will never know how "great" it is. Just smoke some Pot.