IF you are bored with EastEnders Linda and Phil’s addiction storylines then you’re missing the whole point of their tale.
The last few episodes of EastEnders have been a tough watch as Linda Carter plummets deeper into her alcohol addiction.
Played by the talented Kellie Bright, the soap’s hard-hitting storyline has pulled no punches and it’s refreshing to see the reality of addiction being aired on national television.
Earlier this week, Johnny (Charlie Suff) tried to get through to his mum but he was left with little choice but to kick her out once he saw that her only focus was on drinking the bottle behind him.
Linda tried to stay with Sharon, but she also kicked her out, refusing to put her own son in danger.
Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), who both have experience with addiction, offered to help but Linda wasn’t interested.
As things escalated further, her mother Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) turned to Phil and Sharon for advice.
They said that in order for Linda to see she needs help, she must first hit rock bottom.
In an emotional scene, Elaine confronted Linda again, placing a bottle of vodka on the bedside table beside her.
She told her daughter to make a choice. ‘If you don’t stop drinking then you’re on your own, on the streets if you want, but you are not staying here.
‘Either you go to rehab tonight and start getting yourself better or you take this bottle and you get out the door. And if [the bottle] is your choice then you’re not coming back’.”
Linda has been battling alcoholism for a while now and watching her morph from the sunny, well presented woman into a shell of her former self is devastating.
But this is the reality of addiction – it’s not a short storyline that can be over in a quick few episodes – instead it’s a never ending battle that can last a lifetime.
And it’s not just the addict that suffers because the consequences of addiction are far reaching for all involved – be they family, friends or colleagues.
The pain of watching someone you love, especially your own child, slowly destroy themselves is heart breaking – a parent will always see that innocent child within them – and want to protect them.
The anxiety and stress of worrying about their well being, the embarrassment associated with the disease, the fear of them taking just one more drink – it doesn’t end and it takes over your whole life.
And as they alienate friends and family with their lies and behaviour it gets even more frightening when their only friends left to them -are people like them – living on the edge.
But there comes a point when you have to make a choice like Elaine, and decide if you enabling them by always being there helping or if it’s kinder in the long term to deal out some tough love.
But how can you stand back and let someone you care for hit rock bottom? It’s not an easy thing to do.
Usually addicts are embarrassed and ashamed of their actions they don’t want to live that way or hurt their family but the disease consumes them.
However, no matter how much you help them through love, care, shouting or bullying – you can’t force them to change. Experts believe it has to be something they decide for themselves.
Government statistics show that nearly 60% of alcohol addicts that have treatment by accessing drug and alcohol services are successful.
So there is hope, but it’s a tough road and there are no easy answers just as it’s portrayed in the soap’s latest episodes.
Just like Phil’s current storyline, there are bumps and temptations along the way – especially at this time of year.
EastEnders viewers have praised the show for their realistic and gritty storyline and shared their opinions on social media.
One said: ” It’s showing with absolute honesty what a vile disease alcoholism is. It’s acutely timely that it’s coming to a head on the run up to Xmas too. That’s thoughtful.”
“I agree. My mom was an alcoholic. It’s relentless.” agreed another.
A third stated: “People fed up of Linda’s alcoholism don’t get that that is the point.
“Alcoholism doesn’t stop because it is inconvenient or irritating; it completely erodes your empathy or understanding for that person’s troubles as they push away, lie, and abuse then act the victim.”
Another posted: “Yeah my neighbour was an alcoholic, charismatic sober but a horror drunk.
“Nasty, manipulative, selfish, loud, only cared about what she could get from people… then shame faced when it all went too far.
“Rinse and repeat. She made our lives hell. Lost her flat for wrecking it.”
EastEnders airs on BBC1 and BBCiPlayer
