How Reality TV Is Curing Americans' Addictions

By Amber James Posted Jul 26th 2010 05:00PM

While most reality TV focuses on mindless chatter ('The Hills'), hair-pulling cat fights ('Real Housewives') and drunken debauchery ('Jersey Shore'), networks like A&E are paving the way for more educational reality shows that are actually helping Americans.

A&E has capitalized on "intervention" programming which includes unscripted docu-series like 'Hoarders,' 'Intervention' and 'Obsessed.' These shows follow real Americans whose anxieties and addictions have taken control of their lives, making them prisoners of their behaviors. As the individual's families plot a total intervention -- with the help of a TV crew -- the heart-wrenching road to recovery is all captured on film as millions of voyeurs peer into these strangers' lives while they attempt to face their demons. Viewers watch as the person struggles to face their addiction with the help of interventionists and therapy in hopes of turning their lives around. But do these shows actually work once the cameras stop rolling?

Psychologist Shana Doronn, who is a veteran therapist on 'Obsessed,' tells PopEater the road to recovery is a "lifelong process," adding that continued therapy is "is crucial ... and all the therapists strive to keep therapy going after the cameras stop."

Doronn even offered free therapy sessions -- the woman had no insurance or a job -- to one of the show's subjects because she knew the client needed it. She credits continued support as a contributing factor to the 'Obsessed' clients high recovery rates.

This recovery success appears to hold true for the network's other shows. In a recent article, The Daily Beast points out an impressive fact, noting that "of the 161 addicts that have appeared on A&E's show 'Intervention' in the past five years, 130 are sober today ... the 71 percent recovery rate is, by any standard, astonishingly high."

MTV tried tapping into a similar market with 'Gone Too Far.' DJ AM (born Adam Goldstein) spent his last few months filming the series, in which he and concerned families staged interventions for young drug abusers. Goldstein had battled a drug addiction for years and, in a tragic twist of fate, the celebrity spinner died of an accidental drug overdose before the show aired its first episode. MTV eventually aired the episodes -- perhaps as a cautionary tale that could encourage others to seek treatment.

The eye-opening tale is just another reason why Doronn is continuing her stint on A&E's 'Obsessed.'

"I've received e-mails from all over the country from people thanking me for bringing real issues to TV that are handled with such sensitivity and care," she says. "My hope is that these shows motivate people to seek help as well as provide valuable information about recovery."

'Obsessed' airs Mondays on A&E at 10PM EST.

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Tags: hoarders, intervention, obsessed

Comments

(8)

Monday 26 July

By MAGOOS

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Whilst I agree these programs have shock value, I cannot agree that they are suitable "entertainment", even for voyeurs who follow them. The souls who suffer these horrible addictions do indeed need help and treatment but please spare them the misery of exposing their habit and possible cure to half the world. I see the programs as exploiting misery at a profit - to the people who make them.

By gobluespartyon

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I have seen a few Interventions EP's not my kind of shows only shows I have gotten into are Celeb Rehab & Sober House. I don't believe that these shows are exploiting for profit just my opinion.

By MT

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These ridiculous shows do nothing but encourage people to show bad behavior for a possible spot on a reality show. Why are the networks rewarding people for bad behavior? In a bad economy, people are willing to do anything to bring home a paycheck. But the direction that television is going, limits my tv viewing.

By bbfan

Big Brother is the ONLY reality show that MATTERS, nobody is checkin' for those other shows

Tuesday 27 July

By goodguy889

I AGREE 100%. A REAL STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND MONEY.

By Rebecca

I agree that therapy is a must for recovery to continue, i was able to stop for a while but always went back because i had not dealt with the core issues that i was covering up with the alcohol, so the hurt was still there wanting to be covered. I think some of these programs are great, i cry my way through anytime i see Intervention and i think they help show ppl, addicts or not, what has to be done to step in and help someone break their addiction.

By Sue

I love these shows because it displays the power of the human psyche and spirit. People can lose their way sometimes. Also the other attraction is the happy ending. That's why I don't think Hoarders will do as well in the long run as Obsessed or Intervention - everyone wants to see the transformation at the end of the episode to a healthy and happy one.

Wednesday 28 July

By c

I have a daughter who is currently fighting a loosing battle against Meth, Coke, Crack and Bulemia/anarexia. I am out of tools to help her. I find "Intervention" both helpful and heartbreaking. It hurts to see the reality of addictions. But bottom line is, shows like intervention help people living through additions. Giving some insight on both sides of the story, the suffering of the addict and the family behind them.

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