-First of all, please tell us how you became involved with addiction.

NakamuraMy uncle had financial troubles caused by gambling, and he was the kind of person who would drag not only his family, but also my relatives, including myself, into his troubles. So, about four years ago, I met Noriko Tanaka through a friend’s introduction, as she wanted to make an educational drama. As I talked with Noriko, the confusion I had been carrying around about my uncle for many years was cleared up, and I realized that my uncle must have been addicted to gambling. The reason my kind uncle had suddenly changed was because of his illness, and on top of that, my relatives had been doing all the things they shouldn’t have been doing.

–What do you mean by “things you shouldn’t do”?

NakamuraInstead of encouraging them to get treatment, they deny their dignity, pay off their debts, and make them sign a pledge.

TanakaThere is no way that writing a pledge will cure an illness. It is not a problem that can be solved by spiritualism or lectures, but when people around the person treat them in this way, the person’s stress increases and the symptoms worsen. This is a common case with addiction.

NakamuraI had a similar experience myself, so I decided to use what I learned from Noriko to make a film. When I attend counseling sessions for interviews, I am surprised to find that many people are struggling with similar problems. Whether it’s gambling, alcohol, drugs, or shopping, the objects of their addiction are different, but the root of the problems they face is the same.

TanakaOf course, the addicted person suffers, but there is very little information available on how their family and those around them should respond. There are far too many cases where everyone ends up failing.

–Why has the situation become like this?

TanakaThere are many reasons for this, such as not going to the hospital, not knowing about self-help groups, etc., but I think the root of it all is the lack of a culture that respects people who have recovered. I myself have recovered from gambling addiction, and recovery is not something that can be done lightly.

In my case, it took me four years, but even if you go through such hardships and finally recover, society doesn’t accept you. People say mean things to you without hesitation, and it’s normal to treat you with a prejudiced attitude. I’m a fighter, so I’ve been determined not to give up, but most people end up heartbroken. If you recover and are willing to die, but society doesn’t accept you, then of course you’ll want to live in the shadows, and you won’t even feel like speaking up.

–Where do you draw the line between addiction and whether it is a disease or not?

TanakaIn short, you become dependent on that alone. And even if problems arise, you can’t stop. Everyone has stress, so we relieve it by becoming dependent on something healthy, whether it’s exercise, beauty treatments, alcohol, or pachinko. When it becomes an addiction, it no longer responds to anything else. It’s the only thing you can feel joy from, and you can’t relieve stress.