Ep 20. Meth Mountain
- August 18, 2008
In Intervention season 4 episode 20, titled "Meth Mountain," viewers follow the story of Patrick, a 27-year-old man struggling with methamphetamine addiction. Patrick grew up in a dysfunctional family, where his emotional needs were not met, leaving him feeling neglected and alone. He turned to drugs at a young age as a way to cope with his feelings of sadness and isolation.
The episode begins with Patrick living in a makeshift cabin on a mountain in California, where he has been using meth for the last four years. He has cut himself off from his family and friends and spends his days on the mountain, scavenging for supplies and doing drugs. The only people he interacts with are his drug dealers, who often take advantage of him and exploit his addiction.
Patrick's family and friends have tried to help him in the past, but their efforts have been unsuccessful. They decide to stage an intervention in the hopes that he will finally seek treatment. The interventionist, Jeff Van Vonderen, describes Patrick as a "walking time bomb" and warns his family and friends that the intervention may not be successful.
During the intervention, Patrick's family members and friends share their experiences with his addiction and the impact it has had on their lives. They express their love and concern for him and offer him the opportunity to go to a treatment center in Texas. At first, Patrick is resistant and defensive, but eventually, he agrees to go to treatment.
The episode follows Patrick's journey through treatment, which is not an easy one. He struggles with the physical and emotional effects of withdrawal and has a difficult time adjusting to life in the treatment center. However, he slowly begins to make progress in therapy and starts to reconnect with his family through phone calls and letters.
Ultimately, Patrick completes treatment and is reunited with his family. He describes his time in treatment as "life-changing" and credits it with saving his life. He expresses gratitude for his family's love and support and looks forward to starting a new chapter in his life.
"Meth Mountain" is a powerful episode that highlights the devastating effects of meth addiction and the importance of seeking treatment. It shows the difficulty of overcoming addiction but also the hope and possibility of recovery. Through Patrick's story, viewers are reminded of the importance of love and support in the journey towards healing.