6 Balloons is a movie that highlighted the main character, Seth, who abused heroin and oxycodone with daily frequency and began using drugs in his early 20s. The movie depicted him purchasing 6 balloons of heroin and used intravenously. Seth’s mental functioning was poor and he experienced physical withdrawal as evidenced by shaking, sweating, vomiting, and cognitive difficulty. Seth obsessively thought about using heroin. His interpersonal relationships with family were impaired. Seth’s educational level included a high school diploma and some college attendance. During his studies in college, Seth was employed in construction work. Despairingly at 21, Seth began using Oxycodone which led to academic decline and school dropout. Despite the support of addiction rehabilitation programs and supportive family, Seth continued using drugs.

6 Balloons can be a great resource for beginning counselors, clients, and family members impacted by addiction. Counselors can address the effects of heroin related to suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts. Counselors can highlight Seth’s resilient qualities, addiction risks and relapse vulnerability, and protective factors towards recovery. Counselors and clients can examine positives of Seth’s past employment, his former academic goals, and familial support. A positive caveat for counselors and clients to explore former college attendance is to create career options and employment-related opportunities. Counselors can explore 6 Balloons to understand the sister’s failed strategies in addiction intervention and provide addiction psychoeducation and strategic family therapy. Lastly, 6 Balloons can help counselors and clients to identify and effectively cope with addiction-related social stigma and challenging inaccuracies.