It's best to see a doctor immediately before the symptoms become more severe. The inner drama Parr, the Chicago actor, says he recently donned his most memorable costume for a New York production, in which his character suffers from the nerve disorder sciatica and has trouble with his bowels. To simulate feces, an unsavory mixture of baby oil, chocolate pudding, and oatmeal was poured into a diaper and onto his bare skin backstage. It was a gross out, but it's poignant to the character. After doing scenes like this, an after-work drink or two might seem an appealing way to get away from the job.
Many actors relax after work with their favorite drink or a pack of cigarettes.
But the obvious dangers of smoking aside, daily drinking can creep into problem drinking or even alcoholism, in people susceptible to the disease. Actors are a pretty high-stress group. It's their long hours, their hard work, their intensity, and their personality. It's no wonder that the acting industry is rife with stories about famous stars struggling with their addictions. Widespread substance abuse among actors is often associated with high stress, which is an inherent part of an actor's life.