How does Kerouac use the theme of addiction?

A strong theme that runs through the book, "The Subterraneans" by Jack Kerouac is addiction. There are the obvious addictions of drink and drugs that are a focus of the story. "The Subterraneans" which is what the group of friends have dubbed themselves, spend much of their time drinking in bars and clubs as well as drinking and partying at private gatherings. These men, who are seemingly in or nearing middle age, do not engage in social drinking—they drink to excess. The main character, Leo, speaks of his long history of drugs. Mardou speaks of the drug highs that the men in the group attain. She even fears that they have injected her with drugs when she was asleep. Many members of this social circle do not seem to be particularly successful in life which could be attributed to their substance abuse. However, their addictions could also be relied upon to blur that lack of success.

There are also less obvious addictions that are represented in this story in a more subtle manner. Leo is unable to break from the strings of his domineering mother. He is told by his friends that the relationship isn't healthy and he intrinsically knows it yet he is unable to sever the ties. The relationship with his mother feeds a deep-seated need that he has. On the surface, Leo uses his mother, who supports him, to keep from taking on the real responsibility of adulthood. He lauds his mother for seeing him through his years of alcoholism. However, by supporting him she has allowed him to maintain his addiction to alcohol. His substance abuse is fueled by a more basic fundamental addiction that he has to his mother—one addiction feeds the other.

Both Mardou and Leo have addictive personalities. As such, they are drawn to each other and enter into a relationship that is doomed from its onset. They get drunk together and substitute the sharing of their addictions for a real and meaningful relationship. Mardou is more open with her feelings than Leo is. Leo uses drinking and substance abuse as a away to avoid bearing his real emotions. When they are together, their main experience together is partying with the other subterraneans which translates to drinking and always the drinking described is to excess.