I thought the decision from the writers to have Carter become addicted to painkillers was amazing. Anybody remember Anna? Of course ya do. She had the ex-boyfriend, Max Rocher, who used to be addicted to painkillers. Carter grew jealous of Max after he returned and seemed to be getting back together with Anna. When Lydia told Carter there was a missing percoset (strong painkiller), Carter went to Anna and accused Max of being the thief. They had a spat, and Anna ditched.

Not only that, but, as mentioned by Benton, Carter's cousin Chase was addicted to drugs and went through a complete downfall.

Now, the tables have turned. Carter is the addict. He has obviously had much exposure to the subject from at least these two instances, and how ironic -- could he have ever guessed he would be the addict after everything he had seen happen?

-- Katie (writegrl@aol.com), June 30, 2000

Answers

Katie... You know, I never thought of Anna & Max. You're right though. Carter sure has been around a enough people to see the effects of drug abuse. Who would have ever thought he would be next, especially after the thing with Chase. And you would also think that with him being a doctor he would know better, or maybe that made it worse. Maybe he thought that since he was a doctor, he knew what he was doing, could handle it. Who knows, I've never lived with cronic pain or guilt so who am I to judge. Let's just hope for a full recovery.

-- Renee (slinne@aol.com), June 30, 2000.

And since Carter's drugs were all legal (stricly speaking) he could justify it to himself. It's not like he was using an illegal substance like heroin or cocaine, so he could excuse his behavior. "It's all prescription medication." That sort of reasoning could lead him to believe that he wasn't a "drug abuser" in the typical sense. Of course, he WAS doing just that.

-- Cecelia (evilstoat@hotmail.com), June 30, 2000.

Good point Cecelia... He even stated that in Mayday. "I'm on prescribed pain medicine but that dosen't make me an addict". He had a lot of excuses to justify this to himself and make it "o.k" to do. I guess that goes to show you how guilt, fear, lack of sleep and pain can cloud/alter your better judgement.

-- Renee (slinne@aol.com), June 30, 2000.

Another thing that I keep thinking is that Carter probably felt with him it was different. As mentioned before he was on prespcription painkillers (one justification), but I really think that he was one of those people who felt that he had control over the situation.

-- Emma (webbef@hotmail.com), July 01, 2000.