Comments on: New TV Series “Addicted” Begins

By: recoveryhelpdesk

recoveryhelpdesk — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:53:40 +0000

Thanks for reading and commenting Dana. I’m glad to hear you have made progress in your life and are working to help others. As with Kristina, life experience can motivate us to help others.

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:09:41 +0000

I think what Kristina is going is wonderful. If she helps just one person, then this show is worth it. I myself am not a drug addict, but I did have an addiction, my husband. After several years of smoking pot and then pills, he started using crack. When his addiction took over his life, so did mine. I only lived and breathed to fix him. I have come a long way the past few years. I myself am writin a book about my life and how his addiction changed my life and my kids life forever. Kristina talks alot about the family and friends of the addicts have to get their own recovery started to. Addicts and enabler’s feed off one another, we do this not knowing how bad we are hurting the addict. I would love to start a rehab center for loved ones that need to start their lives over even if the addict doesn’t stay sober. If I help one person than it is worth it! Just wanted to say I love this show and I believe Kristina is here on this earth to do what she is doing, by changing people’s lives.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:20:01 +0000

Tom – fyi – I just posted regarding the “Addicted” program.

By: recoveryhelpdesk

recoveryhelpdesk — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:38 +0000

Thanks for stopping by and commenting Debbie!

I like the episodes where the treatment results in sustained recovery. I know relapse is a common reality, but the “social proof” provided by success stories helps individuals in need of treatment believe it can work for them too!

Thanks for doing the work you do!

By: debbie

debbie — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:17:53 +0000

As an Intensive Outpatient D/A counselor I totally agree that some shows only show what the audiences want to see. I see people working every day through the mundane part of life and struggling to remain clean and sober.
Although the shows often do glamorize the treatment process I do believe that if it helps one person to accept they need help then it is worth it!!

By: recoveryhelpdesk

recoveryhelpdesk — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:13:57 +0000

Peggy –An intervention is only a tool to get a person engaged in treatment. It’s an important step, but not of much value unless the treatment itself is effective. I’ve only watched one episode of Addiction so far, but the treatment was nothing special. I don’t think it is likely that you missed some golden opportunity here, so don’t worry about it. It was probably for the best.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:16:01 +0000

Tom – thanks for posting this. Ultimately, key family members would not participate in the program, so I never pursued the filming option. However, another family member (distant cousin – one who would most likely not have been filmed) said to me, “Why wouldn’t you try this option? What would you have to lose? If a televised intervention, the celebrity and drama of it all, moved Hayley closer to recovery, why wouldn’t you try it?” Hmmmmm – - – - my already inflated guilt factor was immediately engaged by this comment. What do you think? Can an intervention result in genuine recovery? I wonder what the stats are re: this?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:08:04 +0000

I hope so too. It bothers me that some of these shows almost glamorize addiction centers and make it seem like all you have to do is show up and your cured.