And Just Like That: Is Miranda An Addict?

Miranda undeniably has a drinking problem in the early episodes of And Just Like That. Unhappy in her marriage and uncertain about her career, she bolsters herself by drinking Chablis at 10.45am and mini bottles of spirits between her human rights classes—much to the alarm of Charlotte and Carrie.

Suddenly, Miranda seems to decide she’s done with addiction and pours all her alcohol down the sink. Carrie and Charlotte then take her on a picnic where they drink non-alcoholic rosè and just like that… she’s cured.

Many viewers were, understandably, irritated by the oversimplified and convenient way that Miranda’s alcohol dependency was depicted. But scenes in the latest episode of the show suggest Miranda might have swapped alcohol for an addiction to love, instead.

Free from her sexless marriage to Steve after their (truly heartbreaking) split, Miranda is free to go and see Che as much as she likes. And in episode nine she rocks up at their house unannounced and says: ‘I was craving me some Che.’

Aside from this line sending Twitter into a spiral of secondhand embarrassment, the word ‘crave’ is quite revealing. CEO of Delamere rehab clinic Martin Preston told Grazia: ‘Even though love addiction may not directly involve a substance, the rewarding chemicals that are released when a person is in love [dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin and serotonin] can be just as intense as addictive drugs like alcohol, cocaine and heroin.

‘Without treatment that focuses on underlying issues, a person who is in recovery from substance dependency may use love or sex as a replacement,’ he explained. ‘If the cycle of unhealthy behaviour isn’t resolved, love can induce similar reactions in the brain that are felt when on a high from alcohol and drugs.’

So, Miranda really could be replacing her dependency on alcohol with a dependency on Che. But, what’s likely to happen next? Preston explained to Grazia that love addiction has a similar impact on behaviour as drugs or alcohol, so those under the influence of the chemical changes in the brain can often take extreme risks.

Amongst other habits, these can include: Putting their children at risk (let’s hope Brady’s fine), fear of being on their own (check), feeling withdrawal symptoms when a relationship ends (time will tell), thinking the perfect relationship exists and using it to solve all their problems (Steve would definitely accuse Miranda of that one).

Che was openly unimpressed when Miranda rocked up at their front door to appease her love craving. ‘You’re not my girlfriend and we’re not dating,’ they explained with a tone of exasperation.

If Miranda’s romantic gestures and rash decisions continue to increase in chaotic energy, the focus of her affections might cut her off from the love drug sooner than we think.

But whatever substance, feeling, or person Miranda is addicted to, hopefully the And Just Like That plot allows her adequate room to get treatment for the root issues triggering her dependency.

READ MORE: And Just Like That: Are There Vibes Between Carrie and Steve?

And Just Like That: Is Miranda Steve’s Mr. Big?

And Just Like That: Fans Predict Heartbreak For Miranda