Addiction

The author uses the theme of addiction to portray the vastly negative affects it has on one's life. The destructive force that is both drug and alcohol addiction can be seen in literally every addicted character. Most of these characters are addicted to crack cocaine (portrayed as Scotty), while Tuck is purely addicted to alcohol. In this novel, addiction ensures two things, first that the addicted person is easy to control, and secondly, that there is a high chance that their life will fall apart.

For most of the novel's characters, addiction ensures that the addicted person will be on the bottom of the power and economic structure. Darlene is a prime example of this. After Darlene becomes addicted to crack cocaine, she slips further into poverty. Her altered state makes it incredibly difficult to hold a job. Her impoverished status lowers the quality of life...