Euphoria gave us TV’s darkest teen drama yet – but just how true is it to life? Experts weigh in

Euphoria whipped up a storm when it first premiered in 2019.

An HBO teen drama sparked controversy and widespread concern with a scene showing thirty penises, along with repeated and explicit portrayals of drugs, sex, and violence.

The show’s second season came out in 2022 and centers on Rue, a 17-year-old battling drug addiction after leaving rehab. It realistically portrays her struggles with staying clean, as well as the complicated lives of her friends, who are dealing with their own serious issues – Nate’s being a prime example. It’s arguably the most honest and unflinching depiction of teenage life we’ve seen since the show Skins.

Does the show realistically capture the challenges faced by Gen Z, or does it exaggerate them for dramatic effect? Before the new season arrives, TopMob spoke with a psychoanalyst and therapist to assess how accurate the first two seasons were.

Addiction and drug use

A lot of the criticism levelled at the series focused on its portrayal of drug use.

Okay, so as much as Euphoria focuses on Rue’s serious addiction struggles, it also shows a lot of other characters using drugs just for fun, usually at these crazy, over-the-top parties. After the second season dropped, D.A.R.E. actually came out and said the show was wrongly making drug use look cool and like it’s something everyone’s doing – basically, that it wasn’t a realistic portrayal and could be harmful.

“People who are Rue’s age sometimes do have an experience with addiction like that

Drug use is unfortunately common among teenagers. Recent studies show that in the UK, almost a third of 17-year-olds have tried cannabis, and around one in ten have experimented with drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, or ketamine. In the US, data from 2020 indicates that almost 10 million adolescents and young adults (aged 12-25) struggled with substance use disorders – including 1.6 million between 12 and 17, and 8.2 million between 18 and 25.

It’s not uncommon for teenagers like Rue to experiment with drugs, explains Dr. Courtney Tracy, a psychotherapist and mental health expert. However, she notes that while some experimentation is casual, Rue’s situation involved a more serious descent into addiction.

Dr. Aimee Martínez, a clinical psychologist specializing in teens and young adults, notes that the character Rue’s actions and relationships throughout the show closely resemble the behaviors seen in people struggling with addiction.

Rue often struggles with inner conflict, constantly shifting between self-discovery and wanting to conceal parts of herself. This pattern plays out in all her relationships – with family, friends, and even those supporting her recovery – and feels very relatable to the human experience.

While inspired by an Israeli show from 2012, the HBO series Euphoria is largely based on the real-life experiences of its creator, Sam Levinson, particularly his struggles with teenage drug addiction.

He recently explained to Entertainment Weekly that writing about his younger self feels natural because he can easily recall the emotions and experiences of his teenage years. He essentially writes about his own past, focusing on how he felt and what he struggled with while battling addiction.

Dr. Martínez points out that the show portrays Rue’s addiction realistically by connecting it to past trauma. Rue was born shortly after 9/11, which symbolizes a foundational experience of catastrophe and loss that follows her throughout her life. Her father’s death reactivated this early trauma. While Rue’s mother tried her best to keep the family stable, his death shattered that stability, allowing the trauma to worsen.

Dr. Martínez points out that Euphoria realistically shows how Rue’s drug use begins – subtly and gradually. However, she adds that the show speeds up the progression of her addiction, making it happen faster than it likely would in real life.

As a fan, I really appreciated Dr. Martínez pointing out something important: not every teen who experiments with drugs ends up like Rue. It’s not just about if someone has access to drugs, or even if they’ve been through tough times. It’s a combination of things – how their brain is wired, problems with forming healthy relationships, and struggling to manage their emotions. The drugs aren’t the problem itself, they’re just Rue trying to cope with deeper issues that started way before she ever used.

Mental health

The show Euphoria realistically portrays the struggles many teenagers face with their mental health, including panic attacks and emotional breakdowns. While some viewers may find these depictions shocking, the show often reflects a reality that many parents aren’t aware of.

Teenagers are masterful at compartmentalisation, and Euphoria takes that seriously

I’ve been reading about mental health trends, and it’s pretty concerning. A study from 2021 showed that people in my generation, Gen Z, are way more likely – over 80% more likely – to struggle with anxiety or depression compared to older generations. It really highlights how much more support we need.

Dr. Tracy explains that many teenagers are facing mental health challenges, as this is a crucial period for their emotional and psychological growth.

The show excels at portraying the nuanced realities of various mental health challenges faced by its characters. For example, we see Jules grapple with her gender identity and the emotional toll it takes, Cassie struggle with insecure attachment and a reliance on external validation, and Kat navigate issues surrounding body image and self-discovery.

Dr. Martínez points out that the show excels at portraying how teenagers often conceal and compartmentalize their feelings, which is a realistic strength.

The show gives us a unique perspective as viewers – we see how characters present themselves to others, and then we see the reality of who they are when they’re alone. The contrast between these two sides is where the show really shines, offering a raw and honest look into their minds. It understands that teenagers are skilled at keeping different parts of themselves separate, and it portrays this realistically. The show avoids simple labels or focusing only on negative moments, instead showing both the public face and the private struggles, often at the same time.

Sex and nudity

One area where the show may stray from reality is in its depiction of sex.

The series is full of sexual content, ranging from suggestive dreams and close interactions between characters to the explicit scene involving the penis locker.

I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about Gen Z and their sex lives, especially after watching shows like Euphoria. But honestly, the research doesn’t really back up that image of everyone being super sexually active. A recent study from the Kinsey Institute and Lovehoney found that about 25% of Gen Z adults haven’t even been with anyone. And the CDC says around a third of high school students had sex last year, which is actually down from about 47% just ten years ago. It seems like we’re actually more cautious than people think!

Dr. Tracy points out that while the highly sexualized portrayal of teenagers in shows like Euphoria isn’t typical, it’s also not uncommon. She explains that with increased access to the internet and social media, discussions about sexuality are becoming more open, which can sometimes lead to it being treated more casually and occurring more frequently among young people.

Sometimes what looks like it’s written for an adult male audience is actually a pretty accurate reflection of how some teenage girls have learned to see themselves

When Euphoria debuted, its explicit scenes of sex and nudity quickly sparked controversy. Some viewers felt the show was simply trying to shock audiences, while others believed the female characters were overly sexualized, potentially due to the show’s creator and writer, Levinson, and his perspective.

Dr. Tracy points out that content seemingly created for adult men might actually show how some teenage girls view themselves. She explains that some teens, like the character Cassie, have adopted this external perspective, meaning what appears to be aimed at men can accurately reflect a girl’s own self-perception.

Toxic relationships and friendships

The show also received criticism for how it portrayed teenage relationships, with some viewers believing it presented unhealthy relationships as romantic.

The intense and often violent relationship between Nate, played by Jacob Elordi, and Maddy, played by Alexa Demie, sparked strong reactions online. Viewers were particularly disturbed by scenes depicting threats with a gun, including a reference to Russian Roulette. Maddy directly confronts Nate, telling him she despises his abusive and manipulative behavior, and how deeply unhappy he makes her.

Dr. Tracy explains that the relationships often shown on TV aren’t realistic for most teenagers. She believes that teenage relationships are usually gentler and more innocent. While unhealthy relationships, especially those involving alcohol or sex, do happen, the extreme level of violence and abuse seen in some portrayals – like the one between Nate and Maddy – is not typical. She emphasizes that this level of danger is never okay, and particularly unusual in teenage relationships.

Being a teenager is melodramatic. It can often feel like your entire world is falling apart

Friendships in Euphoria are often filled with conflict and betrayal. The season 2 finale showcased this when Maddy discovered her ex had slept with her friend Cassie, leading to a physical fight that included scratching, hair-pulling, and Cassie being slammed against a wall.

While these scenes might appear over-the-top, Dr. Tracy explains that the show’s portrayal of friendships feels true to life. “Teenage years are dramatic,” she says. “Everything can feel like a crisis when you’re that age.”

Season 3

The new season, premiering this weekend, will take place five years later, showing what the characters are up to now that they’ve grown out of their teenage years.

Rue is continuing to struggle with addiction and is paying off a debt to a drug dealer while in Mexico. She plans to move to Texas and manage a club afterwards. Elsewhere, Nate and Cassie are getting married – Cassie is now earning money creating content for OnlyFans – and Jules is studying art.

As a viewer, I was a little worried when the show skipped ahead in time – would all the hard-earned emotional baggage of the characters just disappear? Dr. Martínez voiced a similar concern, and I completely agree with her. She’s hoping, as am I, that the show doesn’t shy away from the complicated issues it’s already established, and continues to explore those nuances. It’s important that those struggles aren’t just forgotten.

Growing older doesn’t make people simpler; it adds complexity to their lives. I wonder if Rue’s journey to sobriety, if it lasts, will be portrayed with the same understanding and detail as her struggles with addiction were. I hope the show continues to explore her recovery process, showing the challenges and growth that come with it.

Dr. Tracy also wants the show to stay realistic as the characters age. She hopes not everyone ends up with a bad outcome, as many TV shows tend to do. It would be refreshing to see some characters heal, make positive choices, and thrive, even though everyone faces challenges as an adult. Seeing characters succeed would be a welcome change.

I also want to acknowledge that many young adults still face the same challenges and repeat past mistakes from their teenage years. Ultimately, I hope to see them all succeed and live fulfilling lives.

Find out more about Dr Aimee Martínez’s work.

Find out more about Dr Courtney Tracy’s work.

If you’re struggling with the issues discussed here, support is available. Please reach out to Samaritans, CALM, Rethink Mental Illness, or Mind for help and advice.

Euphoria season 3 premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 13 April at 9pm.

You can watch seasons 1 and 2 of Euphoria on Sky Atlantic and NOW with an Entertainment Membership.

Authors

Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss writes about the newest trends in television, movies, and other media for TopMob. She has a master’s degree in journalism and has contributed to major publications like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.

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2026-04-12 10:39