He is chasing the dragon and losing everything.
chase the dragon
idiomTo chase after the promise of a continually fulfilling high from an addictive substance.
Origin
disputed originCalque of Cantonese 追龍 /追龙 (zeoi¹ lung⁴), a slang phrase of Cantonese origin from Hong Kong. Chasing refers to the careful movement of the liquid in order to keep it from coalescing into a single, unmanageable mass.
The documentary shows how people start chasing the dragon and eventually lose control over their lives.
The protagonist found himself trapped in a cycle of chasing the dragon, forever seeking the intense euphoria that had long since faded into a hollow memory.
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chase a rainbow
To pursue something illusory, impractical, or impossible.
- 02
chase after
To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.
- 03
chase away
To get rid of.
- 04
chase off
To drive someone or something away.
- 05
chase one's tail
To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with inefficient use of one's time and limited results.
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chase rainbows
To pursue unrealistic or fanciful goals.
- 07
chase tail
To be on the hunt for a (usually sexual) partner.
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cut to the chase
To get to the point; to get on with it; to state something directly.