would YOU object to this?

So, late the other night as I was falling asleep, I was thinking about my current WIP. Naturally, I thought of something great, forgot it, then finally remembered it in a flash of intuition (I love those moments).

My thought goes just a little beyond the realm of historical accuracy. I was thinking of having my main character have a problem with opium. It's the late 18th century. I did some research, and from what I can tell, this isn't too wild an idea. Opium was in use for centuries before this time, but really had only come into use in Europe medicinally. I found that some French sailors used it recreationally, however.

My character is French and my thought is that a sailor he happens to know intorudces him to opium. During the course of the story, he turns more and more to the substance [i won't make it a major theme, just part of the idea of him becoming too invested in a particular person].

Problem 1: Addiciton to opium was practically unknown at this time in Europe, though probably was possible.

Problem 2: This person truely existed and I'm fairly certain this historical person never actually used opium.

So . . . I'm asking for some opinions. Do you think it's objectionable to have this character using/becoming dependent on opium?

Hm. Opium might not be the right thing--I think I really mean laudnum. William Wilberforce (think the psalm Amazing Grace) had a reliance on laudnum. It was a very common medicine, so was easily supplied.

I still wonder about the fact that this person was real.

I'll probably tone it down, make it less of a full-blown addiction. It certainly won't be a major plot line.

GirlWithPoisonPen said:

You're working in the era of the French Revolution right?

If the characters have anything to do with court life, a flirtation with opium would not be unheard of.

I'm not sure about giving a real person a substance abuse problem, especially if there's nothing in the record to suggest it. On the other hand, the record is usually silent about sex and drugs.

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Those were kind of my thoughts. There were plenty of things that were glossed over or not mentioned, and this would have been the kind of thing you leave out of your memoir. Just becasue he doesn't leave space for laudnum usage in between the French Revolution and Napoleon doesn't mean that it didn't/couldn't have happened.

tehuti88 said:

The addict character not being known to have used the drug in reality, however, would jar me a bit more, especially if it's somebody I knew well from history.

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I don't think anyone on the street would know him, and only people who had studied the Napoleonic period would probably recognize the name at all.

BAY said:

Agree not to make an addict out of a real person. Someone who actively solicts knowing he's addicted. Who needs the legal hassles?

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I don't know whether there are any living descendants (I had enough trouble locating his immediate family), but I doubt there would be any legal troubles. This drug was perfectly legal and widely used, many people fell into the same trap, and it happened two hundred and twenty five years ago.

I like your idea of having him take an established medicine made with opium or derivative, something that was often used perhaps, and then have him experience withdrawal-steal some or my personal favorite claim he dropped his bottle and it shattered etc. Have him act like an addict, but never say it or have him get too desperate. I once read some weird stories about how people acted when cocaine was removed from Coke. Back then they didn't know they were junkies and kickin.

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I kinda like the possibilites, too.

pdr said:

Why do you want to do this?

What will it add to the story?

Why do you want to tamper with that person's reputation?

Are you gilding the lily with excess artistic verisimilitude?

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Basically, at this moment in his life, he starts to fall apart just a little bit. This is part of that. Luckily, he's an exceptionally bright, capable young man and is able to conquer himself. Again--this won't be a major theme, just a part of his attempts to cope.

Pup said:

I'd also add that recreational and "self medicating" drug use tended to be connected with various demographics. I don't know a thing about 18th century France, but in the 19th century, you can see various drug usages come and go in different contexts, and not just because of the discovery of new drugs.

So it would make a difference to me whether the person was in a demographic where the particular drug use would be very likely, or if it would be out of character or odd.

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Well, laudnum was widely used medicinally, so it really could happen to anyone. In fact, someone with money would be more liekly to become dependent because they would have access to a doctor who prescribed it. Across the Channel, for instance, Wilber Wilberforce, an MP, developed a strong dependence on laudnum.

BTW: thanks, everyone, for the input.