Addicted to Pleasure

Addicted to Pleasure is an intelligent, insightful, and intriguing journey that first aired on BBC Select in 2012. This is a documentary series that dives deep into the history of how some of our society's most addictive substances have shaped cultures, economies, and personal lives, underlining the human race's incessant need for pleasure and gratification.

The host of the program is Brian Cox, the distinguished Scottish actor who's had notable roles in films like Troy and Match Point, and more recently in HBO's series Succession. He serves as a likable and engaging guide through the complex terrain of addiction, bursting with a mixture of curiosity, sympathy, and understanding. Cox's distinctive voice, engaging delivery and personal reflections on his own past experiences enrich the narrative.

Covering a broad spectrum, the series investigates numerous modern comforts and longstanding vices, divided into four episodes. Each episode focuses on a specific substance: whisky, sugar, tobacco, and opium. While they may seem an odd collection, by the end of each episode, we see how these four addictive substances have interconnected histories and have played pivotal roles in shaping the world's socio-political landscapes.

The first episode tells the story of whisky, explored through the lens of Scotland's legendary distilleries. Cox delves into the history of how this "water of life" became a global phenomenon, touching on aspects like the role of whisky in Scottish rebellion against English rule, and its transformation from a drink for the common man to a luxury commodity.

Sugar, the focus of the second episode, offers a bitter-sweet tale of exploitation and indulgence. Through a thorough examination of the Triangle Trade and the brutalities of slave labor that boosted sugar production, the show reveals how this sweet addiction fueled a booming global economy, interrupting social structures and even fueling revolutions.

Next, Cox takes us through the smoky world of tobacco in the third installment. Detailing its native roots as a sacred plant used in Native American rituals to its emergence as a global commodity, it illustrates the drastic shift in how society perceives this cash crop, once viewed as a panacea, but now seen as a public health enemy.

In the fourth and final episode, the series looks at the opium trade. It exposes the dangers of addiction while examining the paradox of this drug's place in the world - from being an essential part of medical remedies to the notorious Opium Wars and subsequent drug criminalization.

What sets Addicted to Pleasure apart from other documentaries about addiction lies in its historical approach. Instead of focusing on immediate health consequences or moralistic warnings against substance abuse, it outlines a vast, interconnected map of global politics, economics, and cultures. The show portrays addiction as a complex societal and historical issue, painting a realistic picture without oversimplifying the subject matter.

Cox's storytelling brings forth the often-overlooked historical narratives that have been shrouded by societal taboos, myths, and judgments surrounding addiction. His exploration into the depths of these commodities, their origins and their multifaceted impacts, allows us to understand not just the physiological, but the economic and political dimensions of addiction.

Besides the compelling content and historical narrative, the show is visually striking, with Cox taking viewers on a kaleidoscope journey across different continents and time periods. The cinematography showcases everything from the pristine Scottish Highlands, the serene tobacco farms of Virginia, the busy sugar plantations of the West Indies, to war-torn opium fields in Asia. Thus, the series doesn't just tell, but also shows, making each episode an immersive experience that hooks viewers till the end.

Addicted to Pleasure is a multifaceted look into the depths of human addiction - it's not just about substances, but about people, history, and cultures. As Cox states, "[It's] not just about the science of substance abuse, but...about the stories; human stories of power, of wealth, and catastrophic human suffering," which makes the series a fascinating, enlightening, yet deeply sobering experience. Despite its serious subject matter, the show never feels heavy-handed or preachy, making it an educational tour de force worth watching.