I've probably as much experience of T1 as most posters on here, having been married to it for about 35 years. T1 husband was advised that all he had to do waas take so and so much insulin and eat up to it. this was in the beginning. Early Hba1c target was 10%
This was, because for his luck, he was diagnosed just when the attitude of eat anything started. DAFNE and MDI not yet instituted. Watching the carbs was ditched. It was a transitional time and I think much damage was done.
As to the eat anything attitude, I met a T1[mature onset caused by pancreatitis], who told me only last month that her dieticien told her she MUST eat 5 - 6 portions of carbohydrate a day to deal with her insulin.
So the take more medication attitude is still out there.
Perhaps your soap opera character had ha her daily or weekly ration of occasional treats and didn't want to take more medication.
I wouldn't know, I don't watch soaps.
Hana