Every Monday I sit down to watch Intervention. Sometimes it makes me feel not alone in the daily battles that rage in my head and sometimes it scares me just how much I can still relate to the people on the show.
I know if it wasn’t for certain people in my life, both past and present, there may have been (or could yet be) an episode with me in it.
And I’m grateful.
And I’m hopeful.
And I’m heartbroken for how lonely I know the 20 million addicts feel they are.
Comments
21 responses to “My Confession”
I *don’t* watch that show for that exact reason. I think my heart would break a thousand times over…and I’m not sure I’m strong enough to handle that.
There go I, but by the grace of God.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..And so things settle. =-.
That’s the same reason why I watch “Celebrity Rehab.” I can’t help but think, “That could be me!”
.-= Travis Mamone´s last blog ..Hearing the Sacred Echo =-.
Anne, I need this reminder about remembering where I have come from thank you!
.-= Jim Kane´s last blog ..The Pleasure of Re-reading an Author =-.
I sometimes watch this show. I don’t watch it more often because quite honestly, it is far too depressing when you see somebody that doesn’t make it at the end. It’s great to see the ones that do and when they do, it’s amazing because the person literally transforms before your eyes. But when you start an episode you never know how it will end and when it ends badly is usually when I take a break from watching.
.-= Jay Caruso´s last blog ..On Catalyst and Rock Stars =-.
When it ends badly, I’m just reminded how…it’s not the person ending badly, it’s their addiction fighting them so strongly. Deception is such a powerful part in addiction.
.-= anne jackson´s last blog ..My Confession =-.
May I never forget what God rescued me from.
good stuff Anne! Everyday I wonder how we can make it “ok” to admit our past and/or present addiction(s) to the church world. There still seems to be a lot of misunderstanding which, sometimes, leads to judgement. I pray that our churches can become a safe place to share our issues – not for acceptance or enabling, but instead for healing for the millions afflicted.
Let’s remember to carry the message of hope to all who suffer.
.-= David Lyons´s last blog ..It didn?t work out?WHY???? =-.
I echo your confession – I’m an “Intervention” junkie myself. I think my attraction to the show is the same as yours… it’s a pure reminder of what I once was and the healing I’ve experienced. There’s nothing more fulfilling than getting to the end of that show and watching a life experience some healing and transformation.
I sometimes cry my eyes out watching that show, and my wife wonders why I put myself through that – and I tell her that the pain of watching the episode from start to finish, is worth the happy ending – when you see someone start to figure out who they really are.
.-= Cameron Smith´s last blog ..Here Are My Hands. =-.
I refer to the collection of opinions that use my head as their meeting place as ‘The Committee’. They’re a horrible crew; obnoxious, loud, vulgar; and because they meet so close to my mouth, sometimes their words come out in my voice. It’s miserable (and often embarrassing).
I’ve been free from drugs and alcohol (by God’s grace) for over 20 years, but The Committee still meets daily. They still remind me of what I did, failed to do, should have accomplished, etc. I’m grateful that we have the ability to take every thought captive, I just didn’t know it would be this much work.
I appreciate your honesty, Anne…gives the rest of us hope. Be blessed and be free, in Jesus’ name.
.-= Donna Frank´s last blog ..Just me and Donkey =-.
Hi Anne,
My sister died of a drug overdose. That show makes me re-live a lot of pain. Addiction is tough. The spiritual and mental oppression is tougher though. Mix the two and you’ve got yourself a perfect storm. I, personally, watch the show to be reminded of the brokenness we all have. It sucks!
I am so sorry that your sister passed away because of this disease.
.-= anne jackson´s last blog ..My Confession =-.
It’s definitely a hard one for me to watch, because I work at the treatment center where most of the women struggling with eating disorders go. So, I know them beyond what you see on the show. It’s tough and very cool at the same time, because by the time they air the episode I know what the end of the story is….and it’s most always a good one. :)
Amen
You know just recently I have realized that NO one has ever did any type of intervention when it has come to my over eating. I watch that show and my husband is a clinical therapist and so its wonderful because I get free therapy:) I have been over weight now for almost 12 years and I have hated who I was for most of those years.Over eating/binges/crash dieting NO one said anything because of a fear of what I may say or think..really I was screaming for someone to intervene. I have just recently (past few years) begin to grasp this calling on my life to speak and to girls and talk about my struggle. Even though it makes me feel UGGH at times I know that through this battle with myself God will prevail! Love your blogs! added you to my blogroll:)
That is a very cool realization Holly. I’ve battled weight and self-image issues on and off my entire life. Yours is a message girls need to hear! Thank you so much for swinging by!
I think the thing that makes my heart ache most, is that you can’t LOVE someone into feeling lovely. You want to go to them, and cover them with your arms and say, “There, there. You are so beautiful. Don’t do this. I love you.” And then you realize that your love doesn’t mean anything. Or, at least not enough. If only we could love illness away. That would be the best medicine.
.-= 6YearMed´s last blog ..Sunday =-.
So true.
i’m thankful for being rescued. and you’re a part of that. so i thank you.
.-= Crystal Renaud´s last blog ..The Snapping of Rubber Bands =-.
… mmm – a pretty intense show! I watched a few episodes and figured I might as well just go to work!
I’m trying to keep my screen viewing and at home reading on the light side to balance all the real-life crises and conversations that I am involved in the counseling office.
It’s working for me …
I love watching people change and develop from point A to B.
Intervention is often my date night tv fare. Dig it.
.-= evan blackerby´s last blog ..I judge people. =-.
Though none of us watch any TV (honestly, too busy), I can relate very well to what’s on Intervention. I lived it. Not as a patient, but as their guard.
In those five years, I saw things that absolutely horrified me. Saddened me. Made me want to weep. Young women in their 20’s or 30’s whose drugs and drink had left them with the minds of 2 or 3 year olds – and who could never be cured, but would be like that their whole lives. Savage young men, drunk, who had to be fully restrained on their beds. Young women with stories of parents and spouses who beat them with 2 x 4’s and sexually abused them. And many more.
I was shocked to learn that of the 90 to 125 patients we had each year, only ONE or TWO were NOT there because of drugs and/or alcohol – in most cases, both.
Yes, we had a young boy who was so traumatized by the images of 9/11 that he kept pulling huge patches of hair out of his scalp. Another young man whose genetics made him become insane. An elderly lady whose medications had to be adjusted every so often so they wouldn’t give her hallucinations.
But those were so few and far between! Almost always, the cause was alcohol and drugs, sometimes brought to a head by boyfriend/girlfriend troubles.
Suffice it to say I saw a side of our community that never made the papers. And learned what our local paper usually meant by “died at home” (committed suicide). And had known some of the young people who later did that.
I also came to appreciate the good, hard working people who really tried to make a difference in those patients’ lives: nurses, counselors, CNA’s, a few pastors. Found how wonderful it was to meet a former patient years later and see her “normal” – smiling, happy, apparently fully cured. And to weep at how few there were like her. (Our local counseling service, for all their hard, patient work reports a 93% relapse rate.)
Pray for these people. And for all who work with them. And for those who try to use TV to bring their needs to all of our attention.