Ep 13. Terry D./Leon

Terry and Leon are the subjects of season 11 episode 13 of Intervention. Terry is a former professional football player who now works as a car salesman. He suffers from chronic back pain, for which he has been prescribed a multitude of painkillers. Terry, however, has developed an addiction to the prescription drugs and now takes them in excess. His wife and children have grown concerned with his behavior and his increasing instability.

Leon, on the other hand, is a former hard-working and successful real estate agent. He had a beautiful home, two fantastic sons, and loving wife. However, he began to experience severe anxiety. This led to him being prescribed Xanax, which he became addicted to. His addiction led him down a dangerous path, and he began taking other drugs to feed his habit. Eventually, Leon lost everything, including his family, his job, his house, and resorted to living on the streets.

The episode starts with Terry and his family getting together for a barbecue in their yard. Terry is visibly agitated and is snapping at his family members. His wife, Monique, confides in the camera that they've been dealing with his addiction for many years. Terry and Monique's eldest daughter, Maya, shares how Terry's addiction has affected her life socially and academically. She believes that she didn't get into a better college because she had to care for her dad and keep his addiction a secret.

The next segment of the episode focuses on Leon. We see him wandering the streets, collecting cans, and begging for money. A lot has changed for Leon since his addiction took over, and he wishes for things to go back to the way they used to be. We also see a glimpse of Leon's family, including his youngest son, who still hasn't given up on his father completely.

It is clear from the get-go that both Terry and Leon's addictions have taken a tremendous toll on their families. The show then takes us on a deep dive into their lives, their struggles, and the devastating effects that their addictions have had on those around them.

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the intervention. Terry's family stages the intervention at his brother's house, with the help of an interventionist. Terry is unaware of what is happening and thinks he is there to have a family meeting. It is only when the interventionist starts speaking that Terry realizes what is going on. There is a mix of emotions in the room, with Terry becoming enraged and hostile towards his loved ones. He eventually agrees to get help, and we are next shown the aftercare process that Terry undergoes.

Similarly, Leon's intervention is also emotionally charged. His sons and his ex-wife confront him about his addiction and lay out the consequences of his addiction on their lives. Leon is initially defensive, but he eventually agrees to enter rehab. We see Leon go through the healing process and try to come to terms with the damage he has caused.

The episode's takeaway message is the devastating toll that addiction has on individuals, their loved ones, and society as a whole. It shows how easy it is for people to fall into the trap of addiction and how important it is to get help before it's too late. It is a heart-wrenching episode that highlights the need for interventions, both private and public, to help those struggling with addiction.