Major Production Unit: Research - Heroin Addiction

Symptoms, how they've been implemented into the script

Signs someone is an addict: i.e. the burnt spoon, foil etc

What Heroin looks like (powder in a bag)

As part of the backstory in the real world, Archie gets addicted to Heroin due to the stress he endures, something that leaks into the delusional world in the form of subtle hints.

I already knew that Heroin is a powder and is prepared by heating a spoonful of the powder over a naked flame, but I wasn't aware of what effects Heroin has on a user and was something I wanted to get into the film as backstory for why the events of Grit happen.

http://www.deltamedcenter.com/addiction/heroin/effects-symptoms-signs

https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/heroinrrs_11_14.pdf

http://drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-heroin-use/

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rplfAZ83Px4C&pg=PA18&dq=effects+of+heroin&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_ssP_sf3LAhWKOxQKHTKpC4sQ6AEIIzAB#v=onepage&q=effects%20of%20heroin&f=false

These websites (and book) provided some very useful information on the effects Heroin can have; key ones being:

- Shortness of breath
- Wearing long sleeved clothes
- Dry mouth
- Hostility towards others

From http://www.deltamedcenter.com

Having read up on Heroin's effects, I have come up with ways I shall incorporate them into the script:

1. Long Sleeves - The film will starts with Sean's sleeves rolled up; however, after his first encounter with Archie (in Scene 2 when he's delivered the pizza) Sean's dress code changes to where he is always wearing long sleeved tops and/or a coat to avoid his arms being seen: an allusion to the needle marks he would have on his arms in the real world.

2. Dry Mouth - The best way to suggest this would be to have Sean drink, but alternatively I could have Archie drink as he is the one suffering from the symptom. A good opportunity to include this can be in the field scene (no. 26). Archie could have a bottle of water on him and maybe even offer Sean a drink.

3. Shortness of Breath - A straightforward one this: after the foot chase scene (nos. 15-17) Sean would be very out of breath. Another chance to show this would be in the hunt scene (no. 36) after Sean chases Archie into the woods.

4. Hostility towards others - This one works hand-in-hand with the tension arc between Sean and Archie. To begin with, he comes across as very friendly and welcoming during the game of cards, but again, after his first exposure to Archie, and subsequent ones afterwards, his persona changes and he becomes gradually more and more confrontational and violent. Him trying to get Archie's wallet being a key moment of showing how willing he is to confront Archie.

5. Burnt Spoons - This would almost come across as an Easter egg of sorts: having a burnt spoon and some lighters visible in the background of a shot would be enough of a suggestion towards drug-abuse.

6. Paranoia - Again, this symptom already features in the script, but Sean's monologue scene is the best case of paranoia coming through as he completely convinces himself that Archie is to blame and decides, ultimately, to follow him.

These allusions shall provide a backstory towards one aspect of the truth to the film's events and to the real Archie's character.