Lawrence

Tonight's was an Intervention like no other. Episode 59 followed Lawrence, an alcoholic. Lawrence was a successful businessman who was about to lose his business and his family if he didn't sober up. 

A lot of Intervention episodes have followed alcoholics, but none quite like Lawrence. He was in total denial of his addiction and the state of his life. Lawrence had bruises all over his body caused by cirrhosis. He also was diagnosed with testicular cancer and after having the tumor removed didn't follow through with any of the treatment. 

During the intervention Lawrence was still in complete denial of his problem. After agreeing to go to treatment, he was even in denial once he got there. Lawrence was in treatment for 30 days. He came home and was sober for 3 weeks before dying on 2/22/08 as a result of his alcoholism. Hopefully his story can help others and they will get help before it is too late.

"I got a bunch of people here who love you like crazy..."

After a short hiatus, Intervention was new tonight! Tonight's episode followed Brad, the 24 year old Iraq War veteran who is an alcoholic. While he did 2 tours in Iraq, he can't blame his addiction entirely on that - he has some family issues and he was abusing substances before he joined the military. 

If there is one thing I've learned from watching Intervention, it's the word "enable." His family members are definitely enablers. He lives with his dad and stepmom who don't really try to cease his drinking. After all, they give him a roof over his head despite the 5 blackouts/week and his habit of drinking and driving. Plus... Brad works at a liquor store, yikes. 

The Intervention went fairly well. I love Jeff VonVonderen (the Interventionist) and how predictable he is - he always says the same lines. Brad agreed to go fairly quickly, but left treatment after 21 days. His family decided they were no longer going to enable him. He's not welcome back in his father's home and is living with friends. 

Tearjerker Scale: 9 out of a possible 10. Something about crying males, makes me cry. Especially dads, and don't even get me started with grandpas. :(