Death … and Intervention

For some reason, I can’t go to sleep without leaving the TV on these days. And since my TV is on all damn night, I watch a ton of weird programs. My favorite is the A&E show Intervention.

Have you seen it? It’s a documentary-style reality show where addicts are followed around as they abuse drugs, alcohol, food or whatever. Then, at the end of the show, the addict’s family shows up and tries to force the guy or gal to get help. It’s a bizarre show and it presents some really troubling scenes. It’s one of those car-wreck shows, you know what I mean?

One episode, a guy talked about how he had to sell his body to support his cough-syrup addiction. He said that once while dealing with a john, he was tied up and suffocated with a plastic bag. His take away from the ordeal? “That definitely wasn’t worth $120,” he said. Disturbing.

Hmmm … maybe that’s why I can’t get to sleep.

At any rate, watch the show.

This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2008.