In the film Straight A's, the former addict in question is named Scott, played by Ryan Phillippe. He's been living in Los Angeles, away from his family in Shreveport, for several years. However, after his mother passes away, her ghost appears to him and urges him to go back home and reconcile with his estranged family.
Scott reluctantly agrees and heads back to Shreveport. When he arrives, he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, played by Anna Paquin, is now married to his brother, played by Luke Wilson. Tensions are high between the three of them, and Scott struggles to find his place in the family.
To cope with his overwhelming emotions, Scott turns to drugs once again. He spends much of the film high on pills and marijuana, which only exacerbates the family's conflicts. However, as the story progresses, Scott is forced to confront his addiction head-on and make amends with the people he's hurt.
Throughout the film, there are themes of family, redemption, and forgiveness. Scott must come to terms with the mistakes he's made and figure out how to move forward without relying on drugs. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about love, loyalty, and the importance of family.