Drug Addicted Couple-Hazel and Eric

Quick Overview

Hazel and Eric, a couple residing in Skid Row, Los Angeles, discuss their ongoing struggle with addiction, homelessness, and their efforts to maintain sobriety and stability together, emphasizing the importance of family support despite societal judgment and the difficulty of staying clean while living on the streets.

Key Points: Hazel and Eric are a drug-addicted couple currently living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. They have been together online dating for four years and recently lost their apartment. Hazel admits that she started getting heavily tattooed around age 16 or 17, long before her life spiraled, and feels judged by people who see them. Eric reveals he is straight and hasn't had negative reactions to his tattoos, unlike Hazel, who notes people often assume they are gang-related or that they are trying to rob them. The couple supports each other in sobriety efforts, stating that if one wants to get clean, the other is ready to support that process. Hazel expresses a desire to have children someday, but acknowledges the current challenges of homelessness and addiction make it difficult. The most important lesson they have learned is the value of family, even when they are not close with their biological relatives.

Context: This video is an interview segment from Mark Laita's 'Soft White Underbelly' project, which documents the lives of individuals often marginalized or overlooked in society. The interview features Hazel and Eric, a couple struggling with drug addiction and homelessness in Skid Row, Los Angeles. They discuss their relationship, their past struggles with addiction and homelessness, how they cope with societal judgment due to their appearance (especially Hazel's extensive tattoos), and their hopes for a stable future, particularly regarding having children.

Detailed Analysis

Hazel and Eric, a couple living in Skid Row, Los Angeles, share details about their relationship, their struggles with addiction, and their current attempts to maintain stability. They have been together for four years after meeting online, and they recently lost their apartment. Hazel mentions getting heavily tattooed starting around age 16 or 17, before her life took a downward turn. She discusses the constant negative reactions they face from the public due to their appearance, where people often assume they are criminals or gang-affiliated. Eric notes that he doesn't personally experience the same level of scrutiny regarding his tattoos. Hazel emphasizes that they support each other in their sobriety efforts, stating that if one wants to get clean, the other is ready to support that, although she admits the reality of life on the streets makes staying clean incredibly hard, often leading to periods of three weeks without sleep. She also mentions that her parents divorced when she was six, and her father was an addict, which contributed to her view that family is crucial, even if it means creating a chosen family. Despite the harsh realities and societal judgment, Hazel expresses gratitude for what they have and states that she is proud of them for managing to survive and support each other. Their immediate goal is to maintain stability and avoid relapsing, as they recognize that their survival often depends on each other.