Psychology

       In Beautiful Boy (2018), based on the memoirs of Nic and David Sheff, we are brought into the intimate, often heartbreaking world of addiction. The film centers on Nic Sheff, a young man battling a severe substance use disorder, primarily centered around methamphetamine. His story is a slow unravel marked by relapse, family strain, and the co-occurring weight of depression. Through Nic’s character, the film offers a vivid portrayal of addiction not just as a personal illness, but as a force that impacts everyone in its orbit.

       From a clinical perspective, Nic’s behaviors and trajectory align with the criteria for severe substance use disorder as outlined in the DSM-5. He has a persistent desire and inconsistent efforts to cut down or control use, spends a significant amount of time obtaining and recovering from substances, and continues use despite knowing the physical and psychological consequences. His dependency escalates from marijuana and alcohol to methamphetamine, a progression that resembles the progression stages of first experimentation, then routine use and eventually addiction that we learned in class.

       One of the most striking features of Nic’s addiction is his pattern of relapse. Even after entering treatment programs and expressing a genuine desire to get clean, he repeatedly returns to substance use. This reminded me of the conversation we had in class about what it takes to recover from a relapse. On the pathway to sobriety, there are two ways to look at relapses: as a failure of oneself or a temporary lapse in judgement that they can learn to reframe. This cyclical pattern is common in addiction, particularly with stimulants like methamphetamine, which produce intense euphoric highs in the high doses that Nic was taking. The film does not romanticize these moments, it definitely captures the shame, confusion, and powerlessness that Nic feels, alongside the toll it takes on his mental health.

       While the focus is on addiction, Beautiful Boy also points to Major Depressive Disorder as an underlying and compounding condition. Nic demonstrates clear symptoms of depression: hopelessness, withdrawal, low motivation, and emotional numbness. It seems that his substance use is not only recreational or impulsive, but also serves as a maladaptive coping mechanism for his internal despair. There are moments when Nic talks about feeling broken or not knowing who he is without drugs, these statements signal a deep sense of disconnection and low self-worth, both central to depressive disorders. While his time was spent recreationally doing drugs, he lost control of the other aspects of his life. Looking in the frame of the lifestyle triangles we exercised in class, he increasingly dedicated his time to leisure, skewing his triangle away from work and especially his relationships. 

       Importantly, the film also explores the impact of Nic’s addiction on his family, particularly his father, David. Through David’s perspective, we truly see the emotional rollercoaster that comes with loving someone with a chronic mental illness. There is a constant fluctuation in tone between hope and devastation. His father tries every avenue – therapy, rehab, tough love, financial support – but each decision carries an emotional cost and uncertainty. This secondary trauma experienced by loved ones is a common, yet often under-acknowledged, aspect of addiction. Families become hypervigilant, anxious, and at times, emotionally burnt out. We see all three of his parental figures helpless in pain and, at times, carrying a sense of guilt. The emotional labor of caring for Nic takes a toll on their mental health, straining his relationships and sense of control. 

       Something I admired was the film’s refusal to offer a clean resolution. Even in moments of apparent clarity or sobriety, there’s a lingering uncertainty. This reflects the reality that addiction is a chronic condition, not a matter of willpower or moral failing, but a disease that often involves years of treatment, setbacks, and rebuilding. In Nic’s case, recovery is not linear, and his progress is haunted by the fear of relapse. Yet there is also resilience – he continues to seek help, reflect on his experience, and find moments of connection with his family.

       Nic Sheff’s character in Beautiful Boy offers a complex and humanizing portrayal of addiction, shaped by underlying depression and compounded by the impact on those around him. The film captures the dual nature of substance use disorder as both a personal and relational illness, one that demands empathy, clinical understanding, and long-term support. Nic’s story is not one of resolution, but of survival and ongoing struggle, one that is true for many today.