I did watch this. I just finished Kristina's book. She is such an inspiration.

I watched some of it, but had to turn it off, watching the addict control and manipulate her family triggered too many past memories of what Aaron did to me, although he wasn't as nasty and abusive as she was, I couldn't stand to see the pain she inflicted on her family. I also don't do well watching an addict shoot up. Kristina seemed to be a very good interventionist, but I didn't see the end result. Addicted is very similiar to Intervention on A&E, which I have watched a few times, but like addicted, too many triggers, hurt, anger and emotions for me. Cherrie, I will have to read Kristina's book, I know that she went to hell and back to become the person she is today.

I didn't know she had written a book. I'll have to check it out. I wasn't sure about this show at first. I guess I was worried that these shows could become too "entertaining," but as I watched, I liked it. I liked that unlike Intervention, it shows more of what happens after the intervention.

I didn't watch. Somehow I felt doing that is similar to listening to "sad songs" when you are depressed.
It makes it worse. I have a very hard time watching these shows. I did watch Dr. Phil about a year ago on an episode where he had a few of the addicts who had been on "Intervention" on his show. Two of the addicts, had to leave the stage because just watcing excerpts of the episodes was such a huge trigger, they were unable to sit there and wanted to use. I also know several of the producers filming became addicts - and had never used before. It's not that I think I will become an addict, it is just that I try really hard to only put positive and healthy thoughts, visions and emtions in my head.
This is one of the reasons, I am so passionate about what movie producers depict in films.
Hugs to everyone!!!

A girl in our town whom we knew as a child, was featured on Intervention. I couldn't believe it. Unfortunately she didn't do well, and her family's story is sad. Since then the show has been shown a few times. If I were her family I would hate seeing that when I turned on the t.v. I hope there won't be so many of these shows on that it gets to be too much, epecially for those in recovery.

The book is called The Lost Years (a mother's and daughter's worst nightmare). It was interesting to rad about all the family went through and how things have turned out. It is nice to hear good endings. I know what you mean about it being hard watching the shows especially when they show the addict using. I guess that is the reality but it is hard seeing it. Sometimes I just tune into intervention for the last 20 minutes to see the intervention and the outcome. I do hope one day society understands addiction better. it is like a lot of things if you are lucky enough that it does not affect you, you probably are not understanding that it is a disease.

Shit all of us have lived it.
Whats interesting about some other families misery?
I tried watching Intervention a few times but it would get me pissed also.

Shit all of us have lived it.
Whats interesting about some other families misery?
I tried watching Intervention a few times but it would get me pissed also.

Like many of the members here, for me it's just to hard to watch what I lived with in the past. It's a trigger for me, which then sends me into anger, hurt, and then pissed at what I did in the past, and what Aaron did to me during his using years. I seem to think the only people who watch Intervention or Addicted, or any other reality program on addiction is the people who have been through addiction with either themselves or their loved ones - the "normies" would have to be insane to watch these programs - hell why would they want to know, understand or relate to the disease of addiction.

I've noticed that if my son isn't doing well, as in actively using, running the street and so on, I don't watch the shows, but if he is either in rehab or being contained, I tend to watch them.

It is depressing - there is no doubt about that.

I mainly watched it for the intervention part of the show. I made my husband watch that section because it is so hard emotionally not to do the enabling thing especially when your child crosses over to "adulthood" - and he struggles with it more than I do. The intervention section not only helped to reinforce what I already know in my head but especially helped me on the emotional side - to be stronger.

I love watching Dr. Drew. His show helps me realize how serious addiction is.

I know about the enabling thing. I told my son "Lets put the drug issue aside. The fact your not working or going to school full time is reason enough to kick you out. Add drugs to equation and you for sure need to go"
It was hard but it had to be done.

I do agree with Joe... it is sort of like watching a train wreck, or leaning out of a car to check out the blood at a car wreck. It is bizarre.
And Bcollie... you are so right. If it isn't right it doesn't feel right. that's the disgusting feeling you get in the pit of your stomach...
When it comes down to it, the addicts (and their families) are being exploited for ratings and money...
As far as the families go, haven't they been through enough?
JMO

Agree with what you said Joe. It is like they just don't see anythng wrong with not working, not going to school. And then the drugs!! Glad you said something.

As far as Tv, I missed that show that was mentioned here. But not sure if your talking about the interventions shows and exploiting? How else will people learn about this directly? Not everyone reads. Not everyone has people to talk to about this. Maybe a movie made instead would be better? Showing the damage done to families, the down fall of the addict?
So much could be done to educate people more and use that money made or profits going to addiction help.
Sorry if I sound confused, I am.