The Gripping Tale of Painkillers: Unveiling 6 Game-Changing Moments in Netflix's Opioid Crisis Series

Though Painkiller shares the story of the real Sackler family, Screen Rant was asked to clarify that events in Netflix's series were fictionalized.

Summary

The events surrounding the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma in Painkiller are fictionalized, with altered details that impact the understanding of the opioid crisis. The characters Edie, Glen, and Shannon in the story represent different individuals impacted by Purdue Pharma and OxyContin.

Painkiller fails to distinguish between the symptoms of physical dependence and mental addiction, which are two separate aspects of substance use disorder. Additionally, it does not address the issue of individuals transitioning from prescription opioids to illegal drugs such as heroin.

The Netflix series Painkiller, although based on a true story, alters significant details that greatly impact the perception of Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis as a whole. Painkiller chronicles the rise and fall of the opioid OxyContin, shedding light on the deceptive marketing strategies employed by its parent company Purdue Pharma, which was controlled by the Sackler family. However, it is important to note that the series is a work of fiction, inspired by three sources: Patrick Radden Keefe's article in The New Yorker titled "The Family That Built an Empire of Pain," his book Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty, and Barry Meir's Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and The Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic.

Painkiller draws upon the insights of various individuals, such as investigators, pharmaceutical representatives, and individuals struggling with opioid use disorder. It authentically identifies key figures in the true story, such as the Sackler family, former FDA official Curtis Wright, and former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee. However, Painkiller also incorporates artistic liberties to present the narrative in a more lucid and succinct manner.

6 Edie, Glen, & Shannon Aren’t Real People

The narrative approach in Painkiller sheds light on the impact of Purdue Pharma and OxyContin on various characters. Although Painkiller portrays Edie, Glen, and Shannon as fully developed individuals, they are not based on real people. Edie Flowers, an investigator with the U.S. Attorney's Office, acts as a composite character representing multiple whistleblowers. Initially focused on investigating medical fraud, Edie soon uncovers the problem of doctors overprescribing OxyContin. In reality, several investigators played key roles in exposing the dangerous practices of Purdue Pharma. Even politicians like Congressperson James Greenwood got involved in pursuing charges against the pharmaceutical company, as highlighted in Patrick Radden Keefe's New Yorker article.

Glen embodies the collective experiences of individuals affected by opioid addiction. His storyline reflects the common trajectory of initially using the drug for medical purposes, only to rapidly develop an opioid use disorder. His behavior aligns with the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, exhibiting factors such as continued OxyContin use despite strain on relationships, excessive preoccupation with acquiring the drug, and decreased engagement with family members. Although not all criteria are necessary for an opioid use disorder, Glen's portrayal in Painkiller encompasses most of the symptoms detailed by the American Psychiatric Association.

Similarly, Shannon is a composite character representing pharmaceutical sales representatives employed by Purdue Pharma. The New Yorker's article highlights how many OxyContin reps initially believed they were doing a noble service, as the company provided them with misleading charts and marketing materials. Like Shannon in Painkiller, these reps had no knowledge of the deception orchestrated by Purdue Pharma. Shannon even echoes the exact phrase taught to reps: Oxy is the drug "to start with and to stay with." By condensing these diverse communities into single characters, viewers are better able to empathize with their individual experiences.

5 Painkiller Doesn’t Distinguish Between Physical Dependency and Mental Addiction Symptoms

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While addiction is discussed throughout Painkiller, the series overlooks the distinction between physical dependence and mental addiction symptoms, which are two separate aspects of a substance use disorder. According to Addiction Center, individuals who develop a physical dependence on substances require a higher potency or frequency of intake to achieve the same effect. They also experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they abstain from using the substance. However, Painkiller fails to differentiate these symptoms as physical dependence in the patients during the trials.

In contrast, Glen initially experiences only physical dependence symptoms, but he later develops additional mental symptoms of opioid use disorder in Painkiller. Unfortunately, the series does not clarify this progression. Glen's behavior of concealing his OxyContin, using it despite its detrimental effects on his work, and prioritizing it over his family clearly indicates signs of uncontrollable behaviors. Additionally, his panic upon not having access to his OxyContin demonstrates mental dependence. Although the distinction between physical dependence and mental symptoms might appear minor, it is crucial in discerning the severity of an individual's opioid use disorder.

4 Painkiller Didn’t Depict The Issue Of People Going From Prescription to Illicit Opioids

Glen initially receives OxyContin through a prescription for his injury in Painkiller. However, as the legal means of obtaining it become unavailable, he resorts to purchasing it from a drug dealer. This situation is portrayed only once and does not progress to Glen using cheaper illicit opioids such as heroin. While this portrayal is realistic for some individuals with opioid use disorder, it overlooks another significant aspect of the experience.

Throughout the time period depicted in Painkiller, many individuals transitioned from prescription opioids to illicit ones. According to a 2018 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a vast majority (75 percent) of individuals who abused heroin in the 2000s had initially started with a prescription opioid like OxyContin. This was a widespread issue that should have been represented in some way in Painkiller. Unfortunately, by solely focusing on Glen's narrative, the show failed to depict the diverse experiences associated with opioid use disorder.

3 There’s Little Evidence Arthur Performed Frequent Lobotomies

According to Patrick Radden Keefe's book Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty, Arthur Sackler had a strong aversion to many of the procedures carried out at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. His most frequent treatment was electroshock therapy, but during that time, it lacked the safety and compassion it now incorporates. Furthermore, lobotomies were gaining popularity at that time. Pete Berg, the director of Painkiller, revealed to Esquire that Arthur Sackler did perform a few lobotomies. However, there is no evidence suggesting that this was a continuous or long-standing practice that he found pleasure in, as depicted in Painkiller.

2 The Lawsuit In Painkiller Wasn’t The Only Action Taken Against Purdue Pharma

Contrary to the depiction in Painkiller, the government's lawsuit against Purdue Pharma is not the sole action taken against the pharmaceutical company. In fact, according to CNBC, just two days prior to the plea agreement in the lawsuit, Purdue reached a settlement and agreed to pay $19.5 million to more than half of the states, addressing legal complaints related to their excessive promotion of OxyContin to doctors. Moreover, during this period, several other significant measures were taken against Purdue. The Connecticut Attorney General, Blumenthal, vocally denounced OxyContin abuse (as reported by CT Attorney General), while West Virginia filed a separate lawsuit against Purdue for their misleading marketing tactics (as reported by LA Times).

1 Opioids Weren’t The First Drugs Purdue Pharma Made

In the show Painkiller, Arthur Sackler promotes various medications for different companies, apart from OxyContin, Purdue Pharma's main product. However, the only other medication highlighted in the show is MS Contin, another opiate-based drug produced by Purdue Pharma. According to an article by Patrick Radden Keefe in The New Yorker, when the Sackler brothers acquired Purdue Pharma, the company originally manufactured laxatives and earwax removers instead of opioids. This information, if included in Painkiller, would have demonstrated Arthur Sackler's exceptional sales ability even with less appealing drugs. Sources: The New Yorker, American Psychiatric Association, Addiction Center, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty, Esquire, CNBC, CT Attorney General, LA Times.