Intervention
I thought I had seen it all. From one extreme to the next, the television series “Intervention” proved me wrong. I had a lot to learn and the focused lens of this show was ideal for showing how far the human spirit could be stretched.
For those who have never seen the program, it follows various participants as they struggle with addictions so severe that the only hope for survival is an intervention. Eating disorders, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and other life threatening behaviors bring each subject to the brink of death. But that’s not what’s so amazing.
It is an all too common story about people that have become lost in life because of bad choices. Many of these men and women experienced traumatic events that served as a catalyst to their destructive behavior. While in the innocence of youth, many were robbed of normalcy by those that should have been a source of protection. Now, they have become the “walking dead”. But that still is not what’s most amazing.
The formula of the show is to follow these addicted individuals during their typical days leading up to an intervention session. Along side of their story the program gives a voice to the family members and friends who are most affected by the addiction of the programs subject. It’s heart wrenching to see the effect of addictive behavior on those who love these individuals and who are at a loss to get them to make life-saving changes.
The Intervention: Family members and close friends unite to give an ultimatum that offers either a pathway to recovery or a closed door to everything that enables the addiction.
What I find most compelling and enlightening is how a group of people with a common goal and a shared strategy can intervene into a person’s life in a way that could not be done if they were acting alone. As a united group, using as a motivation the pain they jointly experience, they are singularly committed to a course of action that leaves no room for the apathetic. It’s everyone in or nothing. It’s a demonstration of strength in numbers.
On the surface most of those who agreed to rehabilitative therapy seemed incapable of achieving any type of significant progress or resolution to the personal demons they wrestled with. But it’s never good to judge people by what you see on the surface.
I have seen the hopeless rejuvenated to a life of possibilities. I have seen the estranged given another chance to enjoy the bonds of love. I have seen the lost start back on a clear path that is completely opposite of the paths they traveled most recently.
Isn’t it amazing the phenomenal accomplishments we experience as a team when we commit to a course of action with full participation?
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
The shared vision of a united, dedicated and determined team will do more towards effecting change than seems humanly possible. Teamwork still works. Are you in?
3 Responses so far
Millicent St. Claire
November 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
Curtis, add to this list; Mental Illness. Anything that might bring someone to the brink of death, could clearly be labeled a serious mental illness.
All of these addictions are really symptoms of deeper unresolved issues and simply put, mental illness. Our society reeks with it and although I work to stay away from labeling people or situations and stay out of judgment, I see mental illness everywhere, especially when I happen to turn on the TV. It is what it is.
We are sensitive creatures and our sub-conscious minds are very impressionable. As babies (and even all throughout life) we learn from our models, and as a society we have to take responsibility for what we’re modeling. Look at the outcomes we’re producing! Its not a pretty scene.
Addictions, violence and negativity are rampant so much so that they’ve created a TV show about it. I’ve never seen this show, and it is my hope that this program won’t turn into another form of entertainment, but really serve to uplift others and heal, hearts and minds. Sounds like it is as the people who have to step to the plate to be part of the interventions have to be strong and brave. And without the collective team energy, you’re right, it would not be possible to bring the person back.
True transformation starts with becoming aware of our negative and destructive thought patterns and the unconscious mechanisms that drive us, which are nothing but bad programs. We are wonderfully made, but we don’t realize that when old programs dominate our thinking and actions. Or when our playmates, play places, and play things don’t activate our highest potential as a growing human being. That’s another topic to be addressed!
Now here’s the thing: we can’t use our heads to get out of the mess (which got us in the mess in the first place). We have to invoke a power higher than ourselves as taught in the principles of AA and NA. Outside of any religious context, each of us has our own way of connecting to the Source of Life. My favorite program is the HeartMath approach which activates a deep abiding intelligence within each of us and for me invokes the Divine. Check out http://www.HeartMath.org
I’ve had the experience of participating in more than one intervention and its a very tough situation to be in. I’ve also worked for many years to eliminate my own “mental maladies” and simply ridiculous bad programming that led me to destructive behaviors. This takes work, and more than anything else, it takes submitting to a higher power to really bring about the transformation in thinking and being.
And it takes work to replace old habits of thinking and actions with ones that are life-affirming. Simply put – practicing good mental hygiene, submitting to a Higher Power, and creating new friends.
And blessings to all of those who stand and fight for those who are weak, striving to wake them up out of the negative mass trance and bring them back home to their true selves as children of the Most High.
Its a journey and as I’ve heard it said, “We’re not here to see through one another, but to see one another through.”
Thanks again for yet another thought provoking and sensitive post my Friend.
Curtis
November 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Millicent, your insight and broad experience really sheds greater light on this subject. We are our bothers keeper. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Law Guy
November 18th, 2009
12:47 pm
Curtis I’m in!!!!
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