Tonight is the 10^th season premiere of Intervention, the TV show about ordinary people experiencing extraordinary difficulty in their lives through addiction, eating disorders, and the like.

I used to watch the show a little and found it interesting, especially since I’d never known anyone with addiction issues. Then I saw a few eating disorder episodes and those hit pretty close to home. I met a few addicts that were clean and sober, but their stories and validity of their pain really stuck with me. I started to see through the façade of Intervention and realized that the show painted people in a certain way for entertainment purposes. Of course there are lots of problems going on for the families in these circumstances and interventions are needed, but the whole story isn’t told. The more quiet struggles aren’t always televised because they aren’t as interesting as the dramatic points. What’s more entertaining, a person struggling quietly against their addiction or someone who can’t wait to get their next hit? If someone does consent to treatment, viewers don’t get a glimpse of the rough road ahead of them. Recovery is not a straight line and Intervention makes it seem that way. And we all have sides of ourselves that other people would judge if they could see us. I can’t imagine how humiliating it would be to see myself at my worst and know that hundreds of people were seeing it too.

On the other hand, Intervention does give society a glimpse at how destructive addiction and other problems can be to the individual, families, and friends. It could prompt discussions that wouldn’t otherwise occur for families watching the show. Intervention pays for 90 days of treatment and within that time addicts could see hope on the horizon and know that they can benefit from the help.

In my opinion, Intervention should focus more of their attention on recovery and promoting wellness for everyone watching. The show should step back and think about the ethical implications they perpetuate and realize the triggers they are sending out into the world. Addiction is no joke and it’s of no help at all to glamourize it for society to gawk at. The day it enters your life or the life of someone you love, then true reality outdoes reality tv in a serious way.

By Erin