Addicts Who Have Died

Episode 72: Mike Season 5, Episode 12 Mike

Age: 67

Location: Utah

Addiction: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Guest Post by Stefan) What’s Memorable: Until I saw this episode, I did not realize how severe the condition could become, to the point of literal hospitalization/ institutionalization. Also, the fact that he wouldn’t touch his children and grandchildren out of fear of “contaminating” them is heartbreaking. Update: Mike passed away on September 7, 2010. The cause of death was not made public. Official Synopsis: Mike, 67, was a police sergeant, avid outdoorsman and respected citizen. After he was injured while apprehending an addict, signs of Mike’s obsessive-compulsive disorder started to emerge. His fear of germs caused him to wash his hands over 40 times a day. The problem forced him to retire early and his wife divorced him. He was able to keep his OCD under control for eight years, but a relapse caused him to think his food was spoiled and almost starve. Mike’s children feel an intervention is their only hope of helping him. Date Aired: September 2008

Interventionist: Ken

Episode 2: Vanessa Season 1, Episode 2 Vanessa

Age: 36

Location: Los Angeles, California

Addiction: Shopping, agoraphobia (Guest Post by Stefan) What’s Memorable: No other episode of the series has touched on agoraphobia. Also, the fact that she had no family present at the intervention, only friends (Annie, the bulimic dancer from Season 2, is the only other person profiled in the show’s history who can claim this). Update: Vanessa Marquez was shot and killed by police during a welfare check on August 30, 2018. She was reportedly brandishing a BB gun when she was shot. Here is the news story about the tragic incident. Official Synopsis: Vanessa, who was a recurring character on the long-running medical drama ER, is addicted to shopping. She is heading towards bankruptcy. Date Aired: March 2005

Interventionist: Tara

Ryan (Intervention Canada) Season 15, Episode 15 Ryan

Age: 36

Location: St Catherine’s, Ontario, Canada

Addiction: Crack, pain killers, benzos, alcohol What’s Memorable: The rather harrowing scene of him seemingly going crazy in his apartment with his daughters there. The fear and tension in the room was so palpable and uncomfortable. Update: Ryan Luken passed away on June 30, 2019. Here is his obituary. Official Synopsis: Badly bullied youth turns to drugs for a chance to fit in. Now he’s lost everything–his wife, two daughters, and his sanity. Date Aired: August 2016

Interventionist: Andrew

Robby (Intervention Canada) Season 16, Episode 9 Robby (Robyn)

Age: 45

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Addiction: Alcohol (vodka) What’s Memorable: That was excruciating on several levels. Obviously the level of drunkenness Robby gets to is outrageous and troubling, but I was most disturbed by the fact that her family for the most part is ignoring the major trigger at hand – Robby is struggling in her transition and desperately needs their validation. She needs to know that they will allow her to be a woman, to see her as a woman, and she’s just not getting it from them. I understand that Janet and others think the alcoholism needs to be addressed before the transgenderism, and of course there’s truth to the urgency of the drinking problem, but I also don’t think they should ignore that fact that whenever she’s wasted she goes on and on about her gender and “what” she is, asking them how they see her. I also get how hard it must be for a family to suddenly change pronouns and think of their husband/father as a wife/mother. That’s obviously not an easy thing to do. But it’s been 5 years! Seems like that should have been enough time for them to get used to the idea and start using “she” instead of “he” all the time. The whole genderfluid thing seemed like she was coming up with something to make it easier on her family to accept, not that she was actually confused. She didn’t seem confused about her gender at all, she seemed unsupported and therefore tentative. I don’t know, I just feel like maybe they could have made more of an effort to acknowledge Robby’s gender instead of treating it like an annoyance and avoiding talking to her about it, especially given how much pain that exact thing was clearly causing her. Although who knows, we only saw short pieces of their life together, maybe they’re making more of an effort than it looked like in the episode. And also maybe she’d still be drinking that much even if everyone around her considered her a woman already. Addiction is complicated like that. I was deeply saddened at the end when she left treatment and didn’t communicate with the producers. I really wanted some semblance of closure on this one and that was about as ambiguous as it gets. I hope she’s ok. Update: Robyn Stoneburg (Robert Ryan Stoneburg) died November 7th, 2017. The cause of death was reported by a friend as cancer. Death Notice Official Synopsis: Five years ago Robby came out to his wife of twenty-nine years and two sons as transgender, exploding their world and Robby’s own in the process. Already a heavy drinker, Robby’s drinking intensified after coming out. Now, terrified of losing her wife, and being alone for the first time in her life, Robby has become a blackout drunk, downing up to forty ounces of vodka a day. Once a fun-loving partier, Robby has become increasingly violent when drunk. The family fears for Robby’s safety as well as their own. Without an intervention, Robby is in danger of losing her family forever. (Canadian produced.) Date Aired: December 2016

Interventionist: Maureen

Episode 217: Brittany Season 15, Episode 17 Brittany

Age: 27

Location: Derby, Kansas

Addiction: Heroin What’s Memorable: Brittany’s relationship with her dad is really moving. The guy seems so damn cool and a really good father, despite his addiction. I had a lot of respect for his willingness to go to treatment to help get his daughter clean. If that’s what he needs to motivate himself, fine, as long as it keeps him clean and keeps Brittany feeling supported. Update: Brittany Christine Howard died on August 20th, 2016 of an overdose, 2 days after completing treatment. Her family has a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses. And here is Brittany’s obituary Official Synopsis: Brittany was part of the all-American family. But rape, drugs, and divorce have caused this family unit to crumble. At the center, Brittany’s heroin and meth abuse has created a tornado that has divided the family and now threatens her life..and worse yet, Brittany may not be the only active user in the house. Date Aired: Aug 2016

Interventionist: Ken

Episode 209: Karissa Season 15, Episode 6 Karissa

Age: 28

Location: Central Square, New York

Addiction: Heroin UPDATE: Karissa Hilts was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Florida on March 8, 2017. By all accounts she was sober at the time. Here is her obituary. What’s Memorable: Despite her intimidating and manipulative behavior, Karissa is still somehow very likable. It’s not a mystery why she became an addict given her childhood traumas, but it’s clear that if she wasn’t addicted she would be such a cool person to be around. Also: That family diner has such personality, but it was disturbing to me what the non-family employees had to deal with everyday. I mean that’s a borderline abusive working environment, having to be witness to all that and pretend to not be affected. The idea that Karissa thinks she’s a ‘functional junkie’ because she gets up in the morning to go to work shows how deluded she is about what “functional’ means. Leaving work to go lie to the doctor in order to get Suboxone and immediately selling it for 10 bags of heroin and then needing people to stay up watching you all night with an overdose kit at hand because they’re afraid you’ve taken too many benzos with your heroin and you might die – that is not functional. I’m so glad Karissa made it and as of February 2016 is still sober. She deserves such a better life. Official Synopsis: Karissa was always a talented cook – so much so, that her mother had one day hoped to pass the family diner down to her as a legacy. But Karissa’s life took a drastic turn when a close family friend fed her Oxycodone, and then ultimately made her a drug courier. From there Karissa was lost. Now, years of self-abuse, self-medication, and a severe addiction to heroin have left her volatile and desperate. Her family fears that if she does not heal from her violent past and the childhood she lost, she will never have the future she deserves. Date Aired: April 2016

Interventionist: Sylvia (who rocked this one)

Episode 201: Joshua Season 14, Episode 12 Joshua

Age: 28

Location: Rocklin, California

Addiction: Heroin, alcohol Official Synopsis: At the age of 14, Joshua was badly beaten by his girlfriend’s father – two years later he was molested by the leader of his youth group . He turned to heroin to cope with his traumas. Update: Joshua Lee Turek passed away on March 23rd, 2017. It was reported to me that he died of a heroin overdose. Condolences to all the people who loved him, of which there were obviously many. Note: Joshua commented below that he was not molested by his youth group leader and resents A&E’s inaccurate depiction of him in this episode. Original Air Date: August 2015

Interventionist: Jeff

Episode 184: Eric Season 13, Episode 5 Eric

Age: 31

Location: New Bedford, Massachussettes

Addiction: Heroin

What’s memorable: The things he does for money, how crossed his eyes get when he’s loaded, the ex-girlfriend best friend that he’s hopelessly in love with. And I love that he’s grateful for the intervention as its happening. That’s rare. Update: Sadly, Eric McDonnell died of a heroin overdose on August 19th, 2017. Here is his obituary. Official Synopsis: Eric, 31, has been known by his family for being funny, generous and full of life. But his downward spiral into addiction has replaced all of his amazing traits and turned him into a junkie who hustles, steals and pawns. Original Air Date: July 2013

Interventionist: Donna

Episode 108: Jackie Season 7 Episode 7

Jackie

Age: 52

Location: Salisbury, North Carolina?

Addiction: Alcohol (wine)

What’s memorable: It’s sad how Jackie says she isn’t an alcoholic but hides her wine bottles around the house and wraps them up when she throws them out so she doesn’t have to hear the clinking. Not to mention having completely lost her daughter as a result of her drinking. Update: Jackie Wooten passed away on Jan 10, 2013. Here is her obituary. Official Synopsis:

Once known as the “the prettiest girl in town,” Jackie had a promising career as a radiation therapist. She became a wealthy doctor’s wife, a country club member, and a proud mother. But Jackie was haunted by childhood traumas. She was devastated when her father died when she was 13. And as an overweight adolescent, she was teased with the nickname “Fat Jack” and felt she was never as good as her pretty sister. After Jackie’s second pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, she turned to alcohol. She’s had three failed stints in rehab and an ugly divorce. Today, Jackie drinks two bottles of wine a day and regularly suffers broken bones and bruises in her drunken state. Original Air Date: January 2010

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 145: Megan Season 10, Episode 5 Megan

Age: 27

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Addiction: Cocaine, opiates (oxy, heroin, xanax)

What’s memorable: All the degrees she has, how smart she is. How her mom stayed with the husband who was abusive toward Megan, then left him as soon as he started being abusive to her instead. Shameful. And Megan really holds on to that resentment. Also the first trip to a new john, not knowing if she would come out alive. That was frightening. But an AWESOME followup. She looked so much better! Note: Megan died in February of 2014 of a heroin overdose. News story Obituary Official Synopsis:

Megan is struggling with her own demons. Her mother divorced and remarried, but Megan never felt included in her new family. She became an addict and even turned to prostitution to pay for her drugs. Can Megan still realize the dreams she once had of becoming a lawyer or professor? Original Air Date: July 2011

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 164: Sean Season 11 Episode 14 Sean

Age: 39

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Addiction: Alcohol

What’s memorable: His need to feel popular and the resulting $200 bar tabs, the 58 year old nympho sugar mama, the mother who believed his childhood anxiety was a result of being possessed by demons, how terribly he manipulates his fragile daughter, how hard it is for him to imagine stopping, even though he’s on the verge of esophageal cancer. “I’ve lost my fear of dying, and I want my misery to be over with.” – Sean Update: Sean died of liver failure in January 2014. Official Synopsis: Sean was once a popular DJ and charismatic crowd-pleaser, but now he’s rapidly going downhill due to his extreme alcoholism. Sean struggled as a child, growing up in a rough neighborhood with an openly gay father. Today, he spends his days and nights drinking himself to death. He desperately needs an intervention before he loses his family and his life. Original Air Date: March 2012

Interventionist: Seth

Episode 161: Courtney Season 11 Episode 10 Courtney

Age: 20

Location: Miami, Florida

Addiction: Heroin Update: Courtney Renee Ball tragically passed away on May 12, 2020. See notice here. What’s memorable: This whole story is about women. Ok there’s the addict boyfriend who never actually speaks to the camera and the totally absent father who Courtney met when she was 10 and who quickly abused her and she never talked to again. But other than that, this is a story about a family of women horribly affected by their precious girl’s addiction. 20 years old with abscesses and scars all over, hooking for heroin. Also memorable: The crazy, breathless, on-the-go intervention and the surprising followup. Official Synopsis: Nicknamed the “junkie princess” by her drug-abusing friends, Courtney, 20, injects heroin up to eight times a day and prostitutes herself to finance her own and her boyfriend’s addiction. But now Courtney’s mother, sister, and grandmother are planning an intervention in one last-ditch attempt to convince her to leave her boyfriend and accept treatment.

Original Air Date: March 2012

Interventionist: Donna

Episode 40: Dillon Dillon

Age: 20

Location: Oklahoma

Addiction: Meth

What’s memorable: His lifetime of risk-taking, his total apathy about what he’s doing to the people around him, his sad frustrated co-dependent mother, the dilapidated trailer he lives in with his addict father, the completely insane intervention. Dillon’s story has an exceptionally tragic ending, which you can read about here. Official Synopsis: Growing up, Dillon showed tremendous promise. But after a bitter divorce, his mother, Tammy hoped that Dillon wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his violent, alcoholic father. But today Tammy’s worst fears have come true. Dillon, 20, is living with his father in a dilapidated trailer where he injects methamphetamines every day and refuses any overtures for help. Tammy has one final hope–an intervention. Original Air Date: April 2007

Interventionist: Jeff

Episode 83: Nik Season 5 Episode 14 Nik

Age: 35

Location: Seattle, Washington

Addiction: Heroin

What’s memorable: How isolated he’s become, so distant from his loving and forgiving son. Update: A friend has let us know that Nik died on November 29, 2014 after having surgery. Read more here. Official Synopsis: Beloved by his five sisters and his teenage son, Nik 35, was the glue that holds his large family together. He was a proud college graduate who became the director of a multi-million-dollar casino chain at a young age. But now Nik is a homeless drug addict. Four years ago, after a debilitating back injury, he became addicted to OxyContin. His addiction worsened and he turned to heroin. Now Nik has lost his job, his home, and custody of his son. Original Air Date: July 2008

Interventionist: Jeff

Episode 118: Richard Season 7 Episode 17 Richard

Age: 53

Location: Wendell, North Carolina

Addiction: Crack

What’s memorable: Richard is the epitome of the self-loathing addict. He positively hates himself and what he’s doing to his family, but his pain is so great that he just can’t stop. He is so very, very sick. And so is his wife. She and their daughter have sacrificed their livelihoods to take care of him and keep him alive. Update: Richard Speight Bridgers died at age 62 on October 23rd, 2018. Here is a death notice. The cause of death is unknown. His wife Sandy passed away in July 2017. Official Synopsis: Now 53, Richard has kept a traumatic childhood event secret all his life. As early as age 11, he used alcohol to numb the emotional pain. As an adult, he was diagnosed with diabetes, and his health problems were exacerbated by his drug and alcohol abuse. He was able to keep his addictions in check while he and his wife, Sandy, raised two children. But when he was injured at work, Richard abused his prescriptions and eventually became addicted to crack cocaine. Original Air Date: May 2010

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 67: Derek Season 5, Episode 1 Derek

Age: 35

Location: Ontario, Canada

Addiction: Alcohol What’s memorable: Memorable to me as the only episode of Intervention that I turned off halfway through out of sheer annoyance and still can’t watch the whole thing. I don’t actually even know what happened to Derek in the end. Did he go to treatment? No idea. Why? Because Derek is portrayed here as one of the most insecure, selfish, inconsiderate, shallow people I’ve ever seen in my life. Maybe he’s not that bad in real life, I don’t know. Update: Derek Muzyka was killed in a car accident on December 30, 2016. Obituary Official Synopsis: He was once a championship bodybuilder and successful property owner. But when he turned 30, Derek felt he was over the hill and became severely depressed. He started drinking to cope with the pressures of marriage and the responsibilities of getting older. His beautiful wife left, and now Derek’s days are all the same–he sits in his dark basement, smoking and drinking and bemoaning the loss of his wife. He narrowly survived one suicide attempt and his family is worried he’ll try again. An intervention is their last hope. Original Air Date: August 2008

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 76: John C. Season 5 Episode 6

John C.

Age: 21

Location: Tuscon, Arizona

Addiction: Eating disorder – Eats things he most certainly should not eat as a diabetic. Also, he seems a bit addicted to attention and to being sick.

What’s memorable: “Sometimes I think he just wants to be the sickest one in the house.” – mother with MS and Lupus. The whole thing with him going out with friends from work and being all excited about having some people to hang with, and then no one shows up…that’s just depressing as hell. Poor guy, so embarrassing to have that happen on camera. Is he suicidal because he has no friends or does he have no friends because he’s suicidal? I hope he’s ok now. Update: Sadly, John passed away on September 30, 2014. Read more here. Official Synopsis: John has type one diabetes but refuses to be diligent about checking his blood sugar, or taking his insulin. A social misfit and an outcast for many years, John wants to be considered a regular guy, and pretends to be one by eating whatever he wants without regard for his illness. He has been in a near-coma and hospitalized multiple times. His parents want to stop enabling his self-destructive behavior, but won’t kick him out of the house because they fear he’ll die without their supervision. Original Air Date: January 2009

Interventionist: Ken

Epsiode 113: Rocky Season 7, Episode 13 Rocky

Age: 50

Location: Camden, New Jersey

Addiction: Crack

What’s memorable: Well, the cry. It may be a “funny” meme, but there’s a whole lotta pain and suffering in that cry, and maybe some relief. And the son who declares that he hates his dad, but during the intervention he cries as he reveals how he really feels. It’s very powerful stuff, all of it. Update: Rocky Lockridge passed away in early February 2019 from complications he suffered after a stroke. Here is the Heavy.com story Official Synopsis: Rocky Lockridge, once a world champion lightweight boxer, is now a homeless crack addict living on the streets of Camden, New Jersey. He began abusing cocaine whilst the champion, but switched to crack after his boxing career ended. His addiction has alienated him from his twin sons and his brother, and his only support left is from his best friend Joey, an aspiring boxer who provides him with food and money to finance his addiction. When short of cash, Rocky panhandles to finance his $75/day habit. In spite of Rocky’s long-term crack addiction, it’s clear that he still has a heart and a soul and wants to get well and reconnect with his family. Can an intervention save him before he loses his life to this disease? Original Air Date: April 2010 Interventionist: Candy

Episode 93: Bret Season 6 Episode 7 Bret

Age: 43

Location: Tampa,Florida

Addiction: Alcohol

What’s memorable: Bret was in a strange denial – he admitted to being addicted to alcohol, felt the addiction, but was convinced that he didn’t actually drink that much and he didn’t seem to see the health and family consequences of his drinking. His son is absolutely heartbreaking. And, of course, the follow-up is shocking and sad. Official Synopsis: Now 43, Bret once had a promising career in real estate. But the stress to make more money to provide for his family took its toll, and Bret became an alcoholic. Two years ago, Bret’s family held an intervention and sent him to rehab programs, but he relapsed. His wife finally divorced him, he lost his job, and he continues to be totally focused on drinking. Original Air Date: July 2009

Interventionist: Ken

Episode 84: Sandy Season 5 Episode 12 Sandy

Age: 40’s

Location: Gloucester, Massachusetts

Addiction: Alcohol (vodka), pills

What’s memorable: Her husband, also an alcoholic, beat the shit out of her and then got sober 9 months ago. And Sandy loves him more than anything, just wants him back. Also, the completely vacant look Sandy always has on her face, and the lovely daughter that takes care of her – I just want to hug her. Note: Sandy passed away after she left treatment. Official Synopsis: By her late 20’s, Sandy had achieved the American Dream. She was married with four beautiful daughters and owned a home she and her husband built themselves. But today, Sandy’s life is unrecognizable from what it once was. Her days consist of combining prescription drugs with a pint of vodka, and relying on her daughters to monitor both her diabetes and drinking. Her speech is slurred, and she’s been hospitalized several times. Her family has only one option left–an intervention. Original Air Date: March 2009

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 82: Chris Season 5 Episode 15 Chris

Age: 34

Location: Delaware

Addiction: Alcohol (vodka)

What’s Memorable: Chris and Shawn’s story absolutely breaks my heart. Chris was in so much pain over being treated as less-than because his partner is a man. What he wanted more than anything was for his relationship of 15 years to be recognized as a legitimate one and his family just couldn’t do it. This may the saddest and most tragic episode of Intervention that has ever aired. Note: Chris committed suicide while under the influence of alcohol. Read about it here. Official synopsis: Born into a family with traditional Catholic values, Chris struggled with his sexuality until coming out at 18. Now, at 34, Chris feels that being gay has cheated him out of the things he wants most–marriage, children, and inclusion in his family. He drinks first thing in the morning to ward off tremors, he’s abusive to his partner, and he can’t keep a job. His father believes Chris should be able to stop drinking by sheer force of will, but his mother believes that genetics is to blame for his alcoholism. Can the family overcome its divisions and work together for Chris? Original Air Date: February 2009 Interventionist: Ken

Episode 78: Brittany Season 5 Episode 5 Brittany

Age: 20’s

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Addiction: Dilaudid

What’s Memorable: Oh this poor messed-up girl, living her whole life under the shadow of her older sister, to the point that her mother thought she may be the reincarnation of her. She was also molested as a kid and gang raped as a teenager – it’s not a mystery why she needs to numb out. I just hope she was able to find her way out and figure out who she is. Update: Brittany Loren Ross passed away on September 9, 2019. Cause of death is unconfirmed. Here is her obituary. Official synopsis: Brittany was born five years after the brutal rape and murder of her 9-year-old sister, Terry. Brittany struggled with the pressure to live up to her mother’s perfect image of Terry. At 12, Brittany was molested, and she began taking drugs and sneaking out at night–anything to get out from under Terry’s shadow. Now she shoots up Dilaudid six times a day, begs family members for money and prostitutes herself. Brittany’s mother scrambles to give Brittany enough money for her fix. Desperate and on the verge of bankruptcy, Brittany’s family prepares for an intervention. Original Air Date: December 2008

Interventionist: Candy

Episode 62: Charles Season 4, Episode 15 Charles

Age: 23

Location: California

Addiction: Heroin

What’s Memorable: “I’ll probably die on the streets, and I hope it’s sooner rather than later.” The scene of him shooting up in the fast food restaurant bathroom is disturbing. What a life. The followup is amazing. Update: Sadly, Charles died of an overdose on March 10, 2014. My heart goes out to his loved ones and everyone who was touched by his story. Official synopsis: A talented motocross rider, Charles, 23, is still dealing with terrible childhood memories. When he was seven, his father went to jail for molesting him and his younger brother, and his mother became an alcoholic. Today, he uses heroin and alcohol to blot out his memories, but he’s pushed most of his family away. Now, his half-sister, Lindsey, is reuniting the family in one last attempt to help Charles with an intervention. Original Air Date: July 2008

Interventionist: Ken

Episode 30: Betsy Season 2, Episode 17 Betsy

Age: 40

Location: Annapolis, Maryland

Addiction: Alcohol

What’s Memorable: This episode can’t be found anywhere, and most references to the episode have been removed. Odd. Anyway, I watched it years ago and couldn’t find it to re-watch for this directory, so I’ll just say what I do remember. The wine, the denial, the childish weakness, the shitty supposedly sober boyfriend that convinced her not to get help at the last minute. Well the episode has been uncovered and posted on YouTube by Ramoin so I got a chance to watch it again and oof! What an episode. My original ‘what’s memorable’ wasn’t all the far off from what I would say now so I will only add that her aversion to being alone was at such odds with her compulsion to push everyone away, it’s striking. Also the fact that Andrew was even asked to be in the Intervention seems ill-advised, but that he was allowed to accompany her on the plane to treatment was straight up wrong. I don’t recall anyone else on this show being able to bring someone on the trip with them do you? Love you Jeff, but that was a seriously bad call. She was being a petulant child making unreasonable demands and I think he should have called her on it, not given in. Update: Betsy ‘Bets’ Bender passed away on August 8, 2018 after a battle with breast cancer. Obituary Official synopsis: Betsy went through a devastating time when her marriage fell apart. She began drinking heavily to help the pain. Her family is trying to help her with no results. They finally give her an ultimatum. She either quits drinking or she will lose all of their support and she would be on her own. Interventionist: Jeff

Original Air Date: August 2006

Episode 53: Brooke Season 4, Episode 4 Brooke

Age: 26

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Addiction: Pain meds & muscle relaxers

What’s Memorable: Poor Brooke. Such a sad story. She’s in unbearable physical pain EVERYDAY and wants so badly for her family to understand that, and they just don’t. All they see is an addict that inconveniences them and requires too much attention. It’s hard to watch how horribly they treat her and how much emotional pain it causes her. The intervention,God I cried so hard. Update: Brooke died on December 21, 2014 of an apparent overdose. Our condolences to her family and loved ones. Read Obituary Official synopsis: Brooke, 26, was a beautiful teenager with a magnetic personality. An elite gymnast on the cheerleading squad, she looked forward to a successful and athletic life. But tragedy struck in her senior year when she was crippled by Still’s disease, an early form of rheumatoid arthritis. Her doctors prescribed narcotics to ease her pain, but Brooke soon became addicted. Her heartbroken family has sought new treatments to help Brooke, but she denies she’s an addict. Now her family has turned in desperation to their last hope–an intervention.

Original Air Date: January 2008 Interventionist: Ken

Episode 55: Ben Season 4, Episode 6 Ben

Age: 25

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Addiction: DXM (cough medicine) What’s Memorable: The psychosis he displays as he walks around the city, the older dude that had a sexual relationship with him and still supports him to some extent, the things this kid could have done with his life. Update: Benjamin Alexander Lowe died on December 21, 2016. The cause of death was not made public. Obituary here. Official synopsis: Ben, 25, experienced a childhood filled with domestic violence, homelessness and isolation. He never got to fulfill the potential of his 170 I.Q. and found a new way to find comfort when he was in high school–a drug called DXM. Now, Ben spends his days shoplifting, panhandling, and even prostituting himself to finance his drug addiction. Desperate to help Ben, his mother arranges an intervention that’s her last hope for saving his life. Original Air Date: January 2008 Intereventionist: Jeff

Episode 57: John T. Season 4, Episode 8 John T.

Age: Late 20’s

Location: Arizona

Addiction: Alcohol, hallucinogens

What’s Memorable: His sad, desperate attempts to get his supposed friends to hang out with him. Update: John died in January 2013 – suicide. Obituary Official synopsis: As a former clean-cut track star, John’s life used to revolve around athletics. Now, after a leg injury ended his running career, John spends his time abusing his body with alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy and hallucinogenic drugs. He believes he is living a charmed life as a successful and popular DJ when the reality is that he is losing his friends, his family and his chance at success in the music industry to an addiction that could result in permanent brain damage or death. His family believes that his only hope lies in an intervention, but can they convince him that he has a problem before it is too late? Original Air Date: February 2008 Interventionist: Jeff

Episode 59: Lawrence Season 4, Episode 10 Lawrence

Age: 34

Location: Las Vegas

Addiction: Alcohol (vodka)

What’s Memorable: Oh man, the denial Lawrence was in is absolutely shocking. “Half the time I don’t even think he realizes that he’s drinking.” The bruises all over his body, how weak he is, how he needs his co-workers to totally take care of his basic needs. And, of course, the followup. Update: Lawrence did on February 23, 2008 from bleeding resulting from cirrhosis of the liver. Official synopsis: Having graduated high school with academic and athletic honors, Lawrence, 34, became a successful owner of a chain of tanning salons. But he was never able to dull the pain of emotional and physical abuse suffered in childhood. Alcohol took hold and Lawrence became a shell of his former self, often drinking a liter of vodka a day. A recent battle with cancer left him further weakened. Lawrence’s loved ones stage an intervention in the hope that this show of love and support will help Lawrence get the help he needs, and that by sharing his story he might help others.

Original Air Date: February 2008 Interventionist: Jeff