Drug abuse
As with many of Ellen Hopkins' novels, drug abuse is an important theme in Tricks. Several of the main characters in the novel become addicted to drugs as a result of life circumstances that are largely out of their control. For instance, Cody gets addicted to drugs after moving to Las Vegas to live and earn enough money to support his family after his stepfather died an untimely death. In every case, the novel shows how disruptive and destructive drug abuse can be on the user and their family.
Desperation
Each of the protagonists in the novel comes from varied, oftentimes vastly different, backgrounds. However, each of them finds themselves in situations where they feel trapped and things they previously wouldn't have considered as a means of survival. Each character must do things like contending with financial hardship, trying to seek out love and attention, and escaping abusive environments with partners they don't like. In every case, the characters in the novel are clearly driven by desperation. Their decisions, often fraught with danger and self-compromise, show the lengths people will go in difficult situations.
The loss of innocence
One of the most significant themes in Tricks is the loss of innocence. Each character in the novel starts their story largely innocent. However, over the course of each of their stories, they undergo a profound transformation from innocent to hardened. Their experiences expose them to the adult world, which is oftentimes cruel and evil. Because of their involvement in that world, they are far removed from the normal worries and explorations of typical teenagers, like what to wear for homecoming and who to date. Through their narratives, Ellen Hopkins delves into the devastating impact of being thrust into an adult world before they are ready.
