Cocaine: One Man’s Seduction

Eddie, the top real estate agent for over a decade, learns that his boss Dan Hatten will not promote him to partner. He watches Tad Voss, a younger rival, surge ahead while his own future stagnates. The disappointment unsettles him and plants the seeds for turning to cocaine.

Pressed by the setback and seeking a shortcut, Eddie begins using cocaine, arranged through his business friends Robin Barstowe and Bruce Neumann. The drug's surge gives him a temporary sense of invincibility and a swagger in front of clients. This marks the start of his downward spiral.

Eddie earns a chance to sell a luxury home, but the potential buyer Mrs. Marchais is unimpressed and leaves quickly. Despite the setback, cocaine fuels his confidence and convinces him he's back on top. The lure of success pushes him to rely increasingly on the drug.

Cocaine helps Eddie feel in control as he buys a new car and a stylish wardrobe. His wife Barbara is initially enthusiastic and supportive as the couple appears to be climbing again. However, the outward upgrade hides the growing personal cost.

Eddie's long nights on the road drive a wedge between him and Barbara, who complains she hardly sees him. He also pressures his teenage son Buddy to enroll in law school, straining their relationship further. The family tension underscores the cost of his pursuit of easy success.

Mort Broome, an old friend, attempts suicide by shooting himself with a rifle and blames cocaine for his desperation. Eddie is shocked by the consequences of the drug but continues to use it, compounding his headaches and paranoia.

Eddie buys large quantities of cocaine from Bruce and spirals downward, increasingly estranged from his family. He almost begins an affair with Robin, who makes clear their connection is solely through drugs. The relationship underscores how drugs have warped his judgment.

Buddy finds Eddie's cocaine stash in his shaving equipment, exposing the depth of his father's habit. Barbara later discovers drugs in Buddy's sweatshirt, prompting Eddie to lash out at his son. Buddy refuses to reveal the truth to his mother, deepening the family tension.

Eddie promises Buddy he has quit cold turkey, but when a major sale opportunity arises, he steals Barbara's engagement ring to buy cocaine from Bruce. The act shows how far he is willing to go to sustain the habit.

Bruce is arrested and charged with drug possession with intent to sell, cutting off Eddie's supply just as the options tighten. Eddie's drug reliance becomes a courtroom-level risk.

When meeting with wealthy clients, Eddie suffers a paranoia attack followed by an overdose. He survives but the incident highlights how precarious his grip on reality has become. The episode acts as a dramatic turning point toward rehabilitation.

A judge sentences Eddie to two years on probation with a mandatory drug rehabilitation program. The public embarrassment serves as a harsh wake-up call, pressuring him to change his ways. He begins to contemplate rebuilding his life with his family.

Embarrassed by his actions, Eddie resolves to repair his life and mend his family relationships. He accepts help and commits to a sober path, recognizing that real success now must come from sobriety and reconciliation. The film closes on a note of cautious hope.