My Friend the Addict - Wed 9 Nov 11.25pm TV2

My Friend the Addict - Wed 9 Nov 11.25pm TV2

New Zealand filmmaker, Carthew Neal tries to get his best friend off methamphetamine and films the rocky process. When things don’t go to plan he searches for answers in a country gripped by a methamphetamine epidemic. He meets a woman with seven people in her family addicted and a mother who has spent $20,000 on her son’s habit.

My Friend the Addict is a gritty tale of friendships tested, emotions stretched and tempers frayed when two friends comes to grips with the power of addiction.

In the past 6 years methamphetamine (or commonly known as ‘P’) has rocked New Zealand, becoming an epidemic across the country. For every addict, there are many more people devastated by their actions and addiction.

When he arrived home, Carthew’s friend was suicidal and had isolated herself from her old ‘straight’ friends. The drugs had started as a way of having fun but things had quickly escalated and she was soon out of control. Naively Carthew thought by documenting the process of her coming off, she may commit to kicking the habit but was sorely wrong.

A few weeks into her recovery she pulled out of the documentary admitting that she had relapsed. Feeling confused and frustrated that she wasn’t able to stop - even with his help – Carthew went in search of answers by meeting others who are supporting loved ones to get off.

Tricia in Taupo gave her 25 year old son $20,000 over two years before she realised he was addicted to P. After finding him in a dingy flat in Auckland having had a break down he came home for 3 months to rest and recover. When she discovers her son’s P bags she hopes that he stays clean.

A month after Carthew’s friend had relapsed, she asked him for help to get into rehab. He quickly jumped into action finding out all he could about residential rehab options. A week later when they discussed her choices, she decides that she couldn’t commit – causing more resentment between the pair.

At breaking point Carthew meets Elaine on Auckland’s North Shore. She had seven people in her family using P and had been dealing with this ‘epidemic’ for the past six years including her younger sister, Georgina who currently coming off P.

When Carthew’s friend gets back in touch with him for his birthday, she has surprising news. This authorial documentary painfully illustrates the fall out of addiction through the impact on two friends.

ENDS

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