Abby Catches Carter Self-Injecting | ER

Carter has become addicted to narcotic painkillers following the stabbing, and Abby catches him secretly injecting some that he stole from a trauma. He's confronted by Greene and Weaver.
Requested by Keith Stewart.
From "May Day" (Season 6 Episode 22)
First broadcast May 18th, 2000
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[@NoraHelmer023]

One of my favorite understated exchanges in the whole show is Kerry’s sad, “He’s lying, Mark,” and Mark’s clipped, stressed, “I know.” I’m not sure why it’s one of the most memorable moments of the show for me, except that you can really empathize with the two people who have responsibility for the department seeing someone (who was nearly killed on “their watch” so to speak) in danger of losing his life again. And you can feel their stress and defeat in that moment.

[@JCMellencamp78]

I agree...that line always gets me.

[@impasse0124]

I like that scene too but I prefer the scene later in the same episode when Kerry is talking to Mark and she says “How did we miss this? He showed all of the signs.” And he says “I know, but it’s Carter. Your mind just doesn’t go there.”

[@alexb3543]

Agreed. Ir's a powerful scene. Augmented later by Weaver imploring Greene "He showed all the signs. How could we have let this happen?" The perfect response by Greene "It's Carter.... your mind just doesn't go there". This whole episode just hits me to the core.

[@usasstar]

That’s really scary 😦 too . That’s not right too do that

[@mikeg8375]

Totally agree. Thankfully Greene and Weaver both knew he was a talented and compassionate doctor who was worth saving because of the impact he had on his patients. These scenes were so difficult to watch and certainly there were a couple of bumps in the road in his recovery but it was so satisfying to see him lick the problem...

[@PauAngie]

I always loved Carter's character but it isn't until now, rewatching all these clips, that I'm realizing how good of an actor was Noah when playing him. Thank you for all the work you're doing.

[@Luxie19]

Exactly

[@LabradorIndependent]

You almost forget he isn't actually slightly high throughout this entire scene. It's easy to act like a man who's off his face, it's a talent to act like a man who's off his face, but who's doing his best to look like he isn't.

[@cleopatraoatcake7364]

Great casting! And acting!

[@dawnchute7449]

He still is…

[@kylew.4896]

Every addict thinks they’re fooling everyone and no one sees them

[@RecoilCDS]

Eh, most are smart enough to at least go to a bathroom stall to shoot up.

[@scottknode898]

Even alcoholics get caught at work as had a co worker where I work in health care system who was functioning alcoholic and had brought alcohol in his bag and was caught his Supervisor drinking. He would drink on his shift and never was caught for over 8 years. He was fired on the spot. We worked 2nd shift and he would drink as soon he got up in mornings to get through the day so wouldn’t withdraw.

[@trinitylivingston1286]

@@scottknode898 my uncle (moms brother) is a recovering alcoholic. He's gotten at least three duis. Scary thing is that if he didn't go back to the scene all those times, he would've never been caught. He's lucky that he hasn't killed himself or others but he hasn't gone to jail. He had to go to AA though but I hope he can turn his life around. He knows that if he messes up even once, he'll go to jail though. He has to do other things too though. I know deep down he's ashamed though. He came back to make sure that no-one got hurt I guess. The more recent one happened up at the lake property my moms side owns. No-one was around for moles but still. I know of others who've gotten into serious car accidents and lost their lives because of drunk driving. I also know others who are functioning alcholics too.

[@scottknode898]

@@trinitylivingston1286 alcoholism is scary thing my only living Grandfather is a recovering alcoholic and hasn’t drank in 40 years. I have an Uncle who is an alcoholic and another one all on my moms side of family who drank heavily. My Grandpas brother is a alcoholic and still drinks at age 82 and smokes heavily. My Uncle Rich had the most runs in with law including dui and lost his license and even 25 plus years still hasn’t driven a car and worked to get his license back and his alcoholism had got him fired from numerous jobs and fights with people in bars and at jobs. I have a cousin to who is a recovering alcoholic and his dad was to who was my moms oldest brother and died a few years ago and was one of my favorite uncles. In short 2 of my moms brothers, her Dad and brother in law and an uncle were alcoholics.

[@joemckim1183]

​@@RecoilCDSMore you do it at work the more you get less guarded with your addiction.

[@haydenmusicacademy7502]

Though it was pretty foolish of him to inject himself in an unlocked trauma room, I have to wonder if Abby was more suspicious of Carter's behavior since she herself is later revealed to be a recovered alcoholic, so she knows addictive behavior all too well. Kind of ironic that she outs him as an addict and then later becomes his sponsor.

[@rebeccawright5987]

She relapsed herself.

[@my_quiet_riot]

She "outed" him because she cared about him, cared about who it would affect, and overall knew it was the right thing to do. As a former addict, she would know that his best chance at becoming and staying clean, was to report it asap.

[@vingram100]

For real, then he doesn't even put the needle in his pocket. Shows how we can overestimate our own plans. It's so crazy how he's obviously seating high once he was caught, good acting with word slurring and sweating.

[@JohnBock-nq9lr]

It never helps an addict to make their situation worse....at least it never helped me

[@JohnBock-nq9lr]

Ideally a heterosexual male should never have a heterosexual female as a sponsor.

[@samuelmwangi4431]

I need to get out of bed. I've lost count of how many of these scenes I've bingewatched

[@ChristinaGrivas-um4ry]

OMG me too. Just got out of the shower and I’m in my towel lol

[@shioriryukaze]

That moment you choose watching er instead of making breakfast for yourself...lol

[@debbieengledow2011]

Or supper!

[@risksrewardsrelics51]

Or sleeping

[@1happyg]

Or sleeping...

[@jaggerriffle8046]

How did you know

[@huskerchickmissy]

Or watching ER While your in the ER like me lmao 🤣

[@tia323araceli]

Truly, the evolution Noah Wyle had to portray in Season 6 was just remarkable. Carter was always the stable one, the "normal guy". Getting literally gutted changed the trajectory of his life, the way he saw himself, the way he carried himself in the world.

[@samwilson5472]

and that is exactly why he is my favorite character in the show

[@kirasussane1556]

@@samwilson5472in fact during this episode Dr.Peter says "Is Carter. Your mind just doesn't go there".

[@kbsydney]

Noah Wyle’s acting was brilliant - in the sense it was “terrible” - I.e. it is so obvious he is lying and “badly acting” that Abby was mistaken.

[@justinsmith4941]

Great acting by noah in this scene,shows what carter was going through after his stabbing and survivors guilt,i think many people who have dealt with an addict have watched this and decided to get the help they need

[@mar1eacha]

As someone who had back surgery I was given a morphine pump post surgery. All i had to do was push a button to get the morphine in me. I was then prescribed morphine pills to take home. I can easily see how someone could be so dependent given the psychological trauma he faced let alone the pain. One of my favorite characters. It just shows how addiction can hit anyone

[@sarcasticallyrearranged]

It’s the chronic pain that’s relentless and will make you desperate to make it stop.

[@rc59191]

@@sarcasticallyrearranged I have to take hydromorphone just to live a normal life because of crohns disease. So sick of people in chronic pain being treated like junkies sometimes a break in the pain is as good as it gets for people.

[@CaptBrightside89]

100% need more scenes relating to this storyline and Carter's descent. Gripping stuff! :)

[@SuperWave86]

Dang reminds me of me when i was in denial of my drug use and seeing Carter makes me recognize my behavior how i was and stopping doing the crap that i smoked a while back. I love watching ER so good to see these storylines and reflecting on my situations.

[@chukmorris8264]

Same thing here man. So glad that you beat yours and I beat mine Brotha.

[@827honey1]

Awkward pretending to not see what you are seeing. He really needed that intervention.

[@Harry-bn5mp]

No he didn't

[@memali2939]

@@Harry-bn5mp bro yea he did

[@robpolaris7272]

There was no way she could see him inject it from behind him but his behavior was pretty transparent. I really felt for him. He wasn't recreationally using, he was stabbed multiple times and watched someone he really cared for murdered.

[@ghostcat100]

She saw him put it in the needle trash box.

[@tammieknuth6020]

Not crazy

[@karimah8687]

I always thought that Abby saw Carter inject it off screen.

[@calvinallen3424]

He was treating patients while high

[@Elisheval]

This storyline was so REAL. Good writing.

[@rebeccaelliott9770]

And he gaslights Abby too - addicts really do turn into different people

[@jamietodd2560]

Nothing is as important as the wanting it. Not friends, family, or your own scruples.

[@Godisreal123]

Better than other things ur not hurting anyone

[@Tyrosine0910]

@@Godisreal123 Addicts always wind up hurting those around them, it's virtually unavoidable

[@AkronJosh]

Rewatching this makes me realize how good of a show this was AND how great the actors were. Can't think of a show with a better cast and writers

[@klaudiagrob]

Abby knew exactly what he was doing. Mark and Kerry also saw right through him.

[@danagraslie5718]

This initially caused tention between Carter & Abby but it also connected them for life...

[@karimah8687]

“needle stick waiting to happen” *Carter injects himself with fentanyl*

[@Brandon68plus1]

I was in rehab for pain killers and there was a RN and an LVN in there with me. The RN said hospital staff found her with a syringe of morphine and a needle in her arm nodded off in the restroom. She either would lose license or go to rehab. She told me how easy it was to get drugs to feed her addiction.

[@EK-vi8vi]

So easy. I had a close friend who was a nurse and worked the night shift and she OD’d and died in a on-call room. She had been stealing small amount of narcotics for quite some time.

[@Brandon68plus1]

E K l hope it’s not as easy now fo them

[@trinitylivingston1286]

@@Brandon68plus1 sadly it is, my mom used to work at this nursing home for awhile but quit (a few months ago.) Then she later found out one of the nurses got into trouble for stealing half of the patients medications. When it came time to give said patients their meds, they wouldn't give them the full dosage. We never found out why they were stealing it but eventually they did get caught and lost their jobs. They were either a drug addict or selling them online. I kind of don't blame them if they became one though, that place was shitty to work at and very stressful. Also, your around all kinds of subtances, no wonder some nurses and doctors become drug addicts. Not excusing them for it obviously but just saying, they need to provide the healthcare professionals more help.

[@aaronburgin1442]

I like to consider Seasons 3-6 as the seasons of reckoning for Mark, Doug and Carter. Seasons 3-4 we see Mark's halo tarnished after his ugly outing of Jeanie and his latent racist handling of the Chris Law situation, and then see his spiral after his brutal assault. At the same time, we see Doug's character seem to turn a corner, only to succumb to his desire to put the patient first regardless of the consequences. And finally, there's Carter, who was the bright-eyed optimist whose world turned upside down after his stabbing, which led to him spiraling into addiction. The way ER handled each of their character's arcs through the tumult is one of the reasons this show is so good.

[@Humanoidfreak]

Bruh, after his stabbing. He sweating and all dodgy. WIde eye stare. Hair is a mess. Damn Noah wyle's acting is superb.

[@kevinfrost8190]

Imagine how good of an actor you have to be to put on an act, especially that poorly, while in character

[@justcallmejessz3712]

His acting in this scene was so good

[@sharonmchugh7957]

This is truly, in my opinion one of the best shows ever made. I put it in the top 5 with other shows like Mash and the Sopranos.

[@trinitylivingston1286]

I'm glad that he was able to get the help that he needed. Honestly though, anyone can fall into an addiction if they are under so much stress and pain like he was. Not just the physical pain but the emotional pain too.

[@KOHF34]

Something very unappreciated in this episode: the makeup. Anyone else notice the dark circles under Dr. Carter’s eyes? That’s a sign in real life that someone is addicted to painkillers, especially fentanyl. The writers did their research and the makeup department did the rest.

[@5wheels178]

I hope people don't think I'm addicted to fentanyl.

[@angelasilvi2619]

Knowing how much pain Carter was in, it was only a matter of time before Green and the other's did something, otherwise Carter would've gone down that same dark road as his cousine. Even thought Carter was liying to protcected his job, they where all going to find out soon rather then later that he really need their help, even thought he didn't need any help. It's hard to admit not only to yourself, but also to friend or loved one, that you have a problem and that you need help. Because Carter was still feeling so much pain and anger, that he wished he could've done something to save him and Lucy from being attacked that night.

[@Whitpusmc]

What a tough scene...

[@brett8460]

He needed that intervention.

[@giants416]

I really thought that while it was serious, Carrie and Mark were very insensitive to Carter. He was injured badly on their premises. By all intents and purposes he could’ve owned the hospital for lack of security. That addiction started from that injury.

[@wandawilkinson9239]

A little detail that shows that he was a real addict, when she Abby came in and saw him, he finished the shot. That’s a real addict

[@kbsydney]

I think as soon as she walked in he knew he was caught, so at that point he was probably thinking: may as well finish it!

[@trinitylivingston1286]

I think like another commentor said, deep down he wanted to be caught.

[@LAMags]

It is called CAMERAS everyone!!!Works every time. Love the show one ☝️ of the best shows ever to hit tv. I tried to watch every episode. Drug addiction is a sickness. But as they say we’re there is a will there is a way. Abby was not being a snitch she was just trying to help Carter before things get out of control!!❤️

[@mikemccourt6225]

Noah Wylie nails that aspect of Carter’s character. Wow.

[@alexb3543]

Just wanted to publicly thank you for these great ER clips. Season 6 or ER happened at a very try9ing time in my life and the story arc of Carter really hit home. Because of these clips I bought the episodes from Amazon prime.. and cried all over again.. just like I did 20 years ago. Thank you for uploading these.

[@JWilliamsLangley]

Those stares.

[@Joeybsmooth]

This is really good..because it shows you really how good people can become evil sobs when they are addicts

[@trinitylivingston1286]

I wouldn't necessarily call addicts evil. Some suffer through something traumatizing, suffer from undiagnosed mental health issues, or something and turn towards drugs especially to self medicate/take away the mental pain. When people call others who suffer from addiction evil, that's when it's hard for people to want to seek treatment for their addiction.

[@joyl7842]

The lying is what hurts me the most psychologically. I don't want to lie about my addiction, but I do. I hate myself for it.

[@jennyoneill8879]

Look at his eyes

[@skyehamm9629]

This scene gets me every time!

[@joshhonaker3085]

Great acting Carter in total denial and offended

[@klaudiagrob]

Abby Kerry and Mark knew how addicts behave so they knew that he's lying.

[@user-ug7un4ui9n]

Wow!! 13clips!!! Thankyou!!

[@michaelmuldowney8]

Always felt Carter was being overly reckless here - subconsciously he wanted to be caught. That said I did not watch every episode after Lucy was killed off - never forgave the show for that.

[@Burnettski9292]

Could you do a vid of the time Malucci wrote down a message from a patient's wife on a tissue box, but by the time he went to read it to the patient he was dead? At first he throws out the box, but then comes back for it and reads it to the dead body.

[@jamesahibbard]

One of the rare moments of humanity from Malucci.

[@HeyItsMeeTee]

this broke my heart

[@michaelsinclair8733]

Can anyone really blame Carter? The guy got stabbed in the kidney and the lower intestine then he practically watched Lucy die right in front of him. I'd be trying to kill that pain with anything I can find.

[@trinitylivingston1286]

No but he does need help and I'm glad they didn't just quick him out.

[@christianlowman2698]

Sadly I've been in a similar situation. 5 years ago when I was still slamming H my mom walked in on me and I was trying to hide what I was doing and she was trying to talk to me and not sure what to do she was so shocked I guess that I was doing that she just pretended not to notice but as she was talking I could see her trying so hard not to cry. I was so angry and ashamed I walked out the room and didn't come home for 2 weeks. Luckily not long after that I decided I was worth more than being a junkie and got clean and now I dedicate my time to taking care of my mom whose health has been rapidly declining these past few years.

[@alicewwonderland1860]

Can you upload the (Episode) scene, where Romano harasses Dr Doyle and she tries to file a lawsuit against him but Corday betrays her because he blackmailed her.

[@heathercamball2138]

Still loved carter as a dr

[@giordanotirelli6028]

Today is 23 years this episode airing on nbc thursday 18th may 2000

[@haseulibae7083]

Walked into an empty OR once and found the anesthesiologist passed out and on the verge of death, bc he was huffing the nitrous oxide from his machine. But he had put on the mask rather than taking intermittent huffs, so when he passed out, there was still a continuous stream of nitrous oxide flowing. He survived, but it completely ruined his life. Addiction is no joke.

[@nyy190343]

A fantastic actor doing an intentionally terrible job of lying

[@Xie_ekko]

Abby is best character!

[@clot1770]

Why would he shoot up in public view? Why not go to the bathroom?

[@JohnBock-nq9lr]

Total buzz kill on the mainline rush!!! Bummer!

[@WarGrowlmon18]

That's the same sink where Carter, years later, revealed that he was on dialysis and needed a new kidney

[@katscratchfever3506]

Finally!

[@lucindapeacock5978]

Could you upload the clip where Simon breaks down to Archie after revealing his abuse??

[@bigjohnknew]

Carter was lucky. He had people that cared about him. Money. Most of us don’t get shipped off to a fancy detox retreat. We’re left in a cold, empty room to face the demon that is opioid withdrawal, knowing a quick trip down the road can end the pain and suffering almost immediately. To anyone reading this who is stuck in the cycle of addiction; God help you.

[@Etombayambo]

Abby the savior.

[@zahidulislamimran5664]

Why do I feel like Dr House was inspired from this

[@pho3nix-]

He never would have been caught had he been more careful, at least not for awhile

[@DarlingNikki2]

I've always thought subconsciously he wanted to be caught. Carter is way too smart to be injecting narcotics in the same ER where he works because he knows how strictly controlled they are so I think it was a cry for help even as he was in deep denial and addiction.

[@abigaildeeks8328]

DarlingNikki2 Smart doesn’t describe most addicts

[@DarlingNikki2]

@@abigaildeeks8328 From a certain point of view, many of them are smart in a street sense. How many addicts have managed to fool employers, family, friends, and lovers for years before they were discovered? That takes smarts. How many children are addicts right in their parents' own house and are never caught until years later and their parents are stunned to discover they were snorting or injecting (even smoking) dangerous illicit substances just down the hall from them? My point, though, is that Carter knows what addiction is from his cousin Chase, he knows the signs to look for, and he knew the risks of using hospital narcotics had a high probability of faster discovery than if he was doing drugs at home and coming to work later.

[@cathydiane2558]

He prob would have died if he had gone on longer

[@InkyM4]

Fantastic sequence, but are there not, like... security cameras at County?

[@abigaildeeks8328]

I don’t think they put them in trauma or patient rooms for privacy reasons. Or if there was, maybe that’s why he did it over the sink.👏👏

[@italoc1792]

The 90s

[@testy462]

No tox screen?

[@keithburley7767]

He's All Upset About Lucy Knight' Death

[@gchsbus]

I had fentanyl when I was in the hospital in a great deal of pain. First, I could never inject myself with anything. Second, if I could somehow learn to condition myself to do it because it was medically necessary, I cannot see how anyone could inject themselves with fentanyl. It can almost feel like an outer body experience when it enters your body. Like wooooo and all that. Its like taking a vacation. You have to be somewhat crazy to even consider the idea.

[@MrShapow23]

I’ve had fentanyl +propofol about 20+ times in my life for mostly shoulder dislocations & then surgeries. That sensation from the relief of pain you get a few moments before you pass out is nothing short of incredible. That being said, it has never crossed my mind to intentionally hurt myself just to score at the hospital. At one point, I hated the thought of using hospital drugs but now I’m not sure how strong I’d be to not use if I had the drugs here at my house & I’m only 22.

[@trinitylivingston1286]

@@MrShapow23 I struggle with their just being alcohol, cigarettes, cough medicine, and stuff like that in my house. I've had access to other peoples medication in the past too and I did struggle with not taking it. I hate to say it but it's the truth. I guess I did/do have chronic pain though. Imagine you're 17 years old in chronic pain and you have access to drugs like morphine (my grandma was very sick with cancer and that was her prescription) and you're also dealing with a lot of stress because of school and at home. I sometimes do reckless things because of my impulses but I'd never do it score. That's how people see me though. They either assume I want drugs or that it's all in my head. Apart of me does want drugs but only to help with my pain. I'm lucky that ibuprofen kind of helps sometimes though but some days it doesn't. Some days I can't even manage to crawl out of bed.

[@eangelful]

I had forgotten that Carter was a narcissist.

[@giordanotirelli6028]

I have watching this episode in italian

[@199jyt]

snitches get stitches >=(

[@brycewakefield6565]

this is not prison

[@usaskjock]

He would never be allowed to go back to work if all 3 of them knew he was high at work

[@blehbleh8143]

Did that blue shirt guy guested on Criminal Minds?

[@davidmills8738]

Drug test

[@lindathrall5133]

CARTER IS ABOUT TO GET INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE WITH THE WRONG GATEKEEPER WHO IS ABOUT TO SELL CARTER TO THE OTHERS

[@surferpam1]

I don't know that I wouldn't do the same thing.

[@MrCraigblaze]

What is sad here..In real life some people would turn the other way if the doctor is doing well "Performance" wise.. Thanks for the Upload !! XD Carter is thinking to himself "Abby you rat" XD Well at least Carter gets to know who is was....A very good episode !!

[@niva-vm3vy]

In real life is the anesthesiologist that are the most prone to addiction.

[@Lark_Vivian]

They could have just made him submit to a drug test.

[@karimah8687]

Carter was already taking prescription narcotics for his back from his own doctor so it wouldn’t make any sense to test him.

[@Lark_Vivian]

@@karimah8687 if he was overdosing the bloodwork would have shown his levels.

[@shellc6743]

Stopped watching this show when Stemos et al showed up.#

[@Jay-tc5yh]

Damn.....That Canopy Knocked Goose Into An Entirely Different Profession.....And Hair Loss.....If Only Maverick Knewe😏🤔

[@charlesferdinand422]

In Carter's defense, FEntanyl is incredibly motherfucking delicious, I'd be mainlining it too as well..

[@nebulavontage6113]

Abby has a lot of nerve telling on carter when she was also addicted to drugs, she should know what cater is going through

[@memali2939]

She helped him dude

[@sadieyoung7397]

Abby wasn’t addicted to drugs it was alcohol. And she knows suspicious behavior When it comes to an addict. She was trying to help him.