This 2-hour play is made up of short episodes, each of which may be presented as a one-act play, or skits may be deleted for a shorter version.

It is a play about drug and alcohol abuse, but not about the drug and alcohol abuser. Throughout this play the characters show us the results of their co-dependency. Kris's mother is an alcoholic, Kris tries to bring her pathetic world into balance by being the perfect daughter. Jim learns to hate from his alcoholic father. Brian is very close to his athlete brother—until his brother starts having "roid rages" from using steroids. Sheri loves Russ; she would do anything for him. But Russ loves crack cocaine; he would do anything for it. Jackie is mentally retarded because her mother was a drug addict. David isolates himself in his room, listening to loud music, trying to shut out the pain of having two alcoholic parents. These and other co-dependents relate their tragic stories. Each story is a complete play by itself.

Throughout this play, the characters show us the results of their co-dependency—anger and hate, loneliness and isolation, guilt, sorrow, and shame. A "living mobile" on stage shows how the co-dependent's life is thrust into a state of imbalance by the person dependent on drugs or alcohol. The purpose is clear—to help bring balance back to the lives of those who cry out for it so desperately.

One act; Set, almost bare stage with a huge mobile hung or mounted in the middle; modern clothing. Many of the 15 main characters and 17 supporting roles may be male or female.

"This is an extremely powerful piece."—Plays for Children and Young Adults.

"I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the videotape of Under the Influence. It gave me an opportunity to assess what I wanted to accomplish in my presentation...I got ideas for my own mobile as well."—Cynthia Tillery, Katy, Texas, Junior High School.

See also: Awareness Plays for Young Adults, Social Issues, Family Relationships