245 AND COUNTING—Combating Addiction with a Little DoReMi

By Jenan Jacobson

Jenan Jacobson

I recognize that I have an addictive personality. There are aspects of my life that I need to keep firmly in check and balanced because I know how far that character trait can take me. This is something I have learned through trial and error, and it has made me wary of the many possibilities that might turn into an addiction. I keep far, far away from any potentially addictive substances, not only because I know the hype behind them, but because I know myself. I practice restraint in everything I do, or at least I try to, and I buff up my willpower so that it can keep me balanced in my life. The thing is, most habits can become addictive, even beyond substances or practices commonly recognized as being problematic. People can become addicted to video games, or exercise, or any other manner of everyday habit.

Nicky from Orange is the New Black

The nature of addiction is that it is something taken to extremes. It is an all or nothing attitude that becomes inherently destructive. I can’t claim to know the science behind all this, but I can speak as someone who has struggled with destructive, addictive behavior. Breaking free of an addiction is trying—and the remarkable difficulty associated with attempting to do this makes for high tension moments. There is a reason television shows and movies often have characters engaging in this struggle: it is relatable to people, even if they don’t suffer in quite the same way, or to the same extent, and it is also intrinsically a point of conflict. Fictional addicts like Nicky from Orange is the New Black and House’s titular character are engaging to watch because you cannot truly understand how much they want whatever it is they want, but they are compelling in their desire for it, even as you recognize how truly destructive it is.

Dr. House

            245 and Counting by Molly Alexa Horan confronts the realities of addiction, and tries to find a solution for the disease. The characters all suffer from their own specific brand of addiction, and each manifests a different level of receptiveness to treatment. Given the musical nature of the show, however, it makes sense that the universal bridge to these troubled minds is through song. You will not meet a person who has not used music at some point in his or her life to work through some sort of emotional turmoil—be it head banging to some loud, metal cacophony, or crying through one pop ballad or another, people gravitate toward the parts of oneself that can be unlocked through melody and rhythm. Told through group meetings and individual breakthroughs, this play deals with the ups and downs of recovery, and advocates for the rising interest in music as medicine. Troubled as they are, the characters in the play are at times unnervingly relatable, and the play draws you in until you are utterly invested in the outcome of their struggles. Whether or not you have any experience with addiction, this is a play that can be understood on a fundamental level. Don’t miss it!

Have you ever had any experiences with addiction? Do you believe in the curative powers of music? Comment below!

245 AND COUNTING, Book, lyrics and music by Molly Alexa Horan

Four 20-something addicts hit rock bottom and land in rehab at the Rhapsody Music Rehabilitation Center. The musical follows their journey through 245 days of recovery, tracing personal discoveries, evolving relationships among the group members and with their psychiatrist, and lessons learned through therapy and music.

Friday, July 22nd at 7pm

Sunday, July 24th at 4pm

Tuesday, July 26th at 7pm

For tickets go to https://www.therianttheatre.com/item.php?id=281

At the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46 th Street, NYC

The Riant Theatre’s Strawberry Theatre Festival  

Putting Down Painkillers-A CHRONIC LINE by Adrian Miranda

Gini Chang

By Gini Chang

I have immense respect for those who are able withstand dental surgery without full anesthesia. Even when there’s partial anesthesia, I don’t think that would be enough. Just the thought of staying awake while I know someone is drilling into my teeth as if there’s oil hidden somewhere beneath my gums is starting to make me feel uncomfortable. Since childhood, it’s been a known fact that trips to dentists, doctors, and other adults with an MD after their name will cause extreme pain. And as children, we would do anything to avoid those trips because we were afraid of the pain.

While doctors were mistakenly associated with pain, my younger and less intelligent self was making at least one correct association. Pain relief soon became associated with our local CVS pharmacy. Allergy medicine, cough drops, and painkillers never failed to bring relief to me as well as my family members whenever one of us was suffering.

That’s why I never thought badly of prescription drugs. They were always there to back me up, to support me and help ease any ailments or pain that I happened to encounter. I had chronic migraines in high school and painkillers my constant ally for many years, until my doctor discovered that excessive use of painkillers was actually causing the continuation of my migraines instead of alleviating the pain. Since then, I’ve been adjusting to a painkiller free lifestyle.

Abuse of painkillers and prescription drugs in general have been an ongoing problem for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just a few months ago, we lost the great actor and singer Prince, who died of an overdose of prescription opioids.
Opioids have been the go to treatment for patients suffering from various illnesses, from back pain to terminal cancer. Perhaps you recognize the names of different kinds of opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, or the illegal derivation: heroin. Needless to say, opioids can become extremely addictive which is why the government has been working together with medical practitioners in order to implement new opioid prescribing guidelines as well as increase funding for addiction treatment. And their main focus to prevent further increase of opioid addiction is to provide treatment that can take the place of these prescription drugs. 

Adrian Miranda’s musical, A Chronic Line, stems from his own experiences as a physical therapist and gives the audience a special peek into the lives of his patients, all of whom are suffering from different kinds of chronic pain. Their physical ailments also cause problems in their personal lives and negatively affect their relationships with families and lovers. In today’s world of modern medicine and pharmaceutical cocktails, the more difficult and time-consuming treatment methods such as physical therapy are often overlooked. However, Dr. Adrian reminds both his patients and the audience of the benefits of physical therapy. 

          Have any chronic pain stories you’d like to share as well? Curious as to how physical therapy will be able to help you? It’s never too late to learn more about how to keep your body healthy and feeling good! Comment below or tweet us @RiantTheatre and come see A Chronic Line by Adrian Miranda at the Strawberry One Act Festival on Sunday, July 24^th at 7pm and Tuesday July 26^th at 10:30pm in the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th St, NYC.