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DrugScreening.org


 
Building on 'Intervention,' A&E Launches 'The Recovery Project'
September 17, 2008

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News Summary

The A&E Network, home of the critically acclaimed but controversial program Intervention, has announced a new initiative to raise awareness about addiction and recovery that will kick off with a rally on the Brooklyn Bridge on Sept. 27.

A&E's The Recovery Project will include public-service announcements (PSAs), a website, town hall meetings and other public events as part of a multiyear effort to educate the public that addiction is a treatable disease. Benjamin Bratt, Whoopi Goldberg, Russell Simmons and Christopher Lawford will be among the celebrities appearing in the PSAs; the website will include links to charities supporting addiction recovery.

The kickoff rally, expected to attract thousands of people in recovery from across the U.S., will include a human chain stretching the length of the Brooklyn Bridge. The rally is being organized in partnership with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD).

"We believe that the considerable reach of A&E Network provides a powerful platform to address, head-on, this enormous public health issue and the urgent need for meaningful action," said Bob DeBitetto, president and general manager of the A&E Network and Bio Channel. "'Intervention' served as a wake-up call to the fact that addiction is a disease pervading every aspect of our society. Nobody is immune, and everyone deserves a chance to fight for his or her recovery."

Partners for the ongoing Recovery Project campaign include the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), NCADD, Faces and Voices of Recovery, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Sandy on 23 Nov 08 10:13 PM EST
I attended the recovery walk and was amazed at how great a turn out we had.I enjoyed the whole event.I have 4yrs clean and watch intervention every chance I get.The love and support from all that attended was the greatest feeling ever.Keep up the great work A@E!!!

Posted by Steve Allen on 11 Oct 08 01:59 PM EDT
To John (10/2)-- I was sad to see that you felt you had to make a negative comment about Linda S's 9/27 post. I'm sure it made her feel hurt, but I hope she can take it as a misguided comment. People on methadone, taken as prescribed, and abstinent from non-prescribed and illegal drugs, are indeed clean and sober and in recovery, as are people who are using other psychiatric medications as prescribed. If there is a drug that people "in recovery" continue to use that threatens the definition of "clean," I think it would be nicotine, which is clearly addictive, unhealthy, and deadly. But prescribed medications save lives, and attempts to stigmatize them only make people afraid of using NA and other support programs as they should.

Posted by mtgambill on 07 Oct 08 11:36 AM EDT
I watch Intervention quite often...I am so glad that these addicts can see what these drugs and the alchol can do to you! I wish that my friends who have passed due to addiction could have seen this and got the help that they needed. It may be too late for them, but it is not too late for the users now. My kids watch this show and are amazed that these things can cause you to act in such a manner. I want to thank A&E for this program to give people a second chance in life! These addicts need extra support emotionally so they know they can make it through treatment and make it in life without the addiction when they get out! I just want to say that they need to know that God will be with you every step of the way...Keep your head up guys...you can make it happen! Keep up the great work A&E!

Posted by Nar-Anon Family Groups on 04 Oct 08 05:32 PM EDT
Nar-Anon is a 12-Step support program for the friends and families of addicts. As an avid watcher of Intervention I am always amazed that the families are not advised, consistently, to seek recovery for themselves while the addict (or "Lost One" as Candy calls them so eloquently in her book, "When Enough is Enough") is in treatment. Entire families are affected by the disease of addiction and are often left to pick up the pieces of the collateral damage done. Helping them to seek recovery from the trauma is pivotal to the well-being of all family members and for healthier relationships with the addict post-treatment. We're here and we're part of the solution: www.nar-anon.org

Posted by Bonnie B. on 03 Oct 08 09:22 AM EDT
I run a support group for families and friends of people whose loved ones have become addicted to opioides. I have watched "Intervention" since it started, and it helps me with my own members. I took "Corrinne's" #14 episode to our local high school and they showed it to parents and students - it has also become a staple in their health/drug program. I commend A%E for everything they have done and continue to do to show both sides - that of the family's trauma, but more importantly, to give a voice to the addict, to hear his side on what addiction really feels like - hell. "Cleaner" is also very good within the more typical TV drama genre. Even A&E's "ads" about drug prevention and everything relating to addiction are great-Honest, non judgmental and REAL! Treatment is the tool to teach people how to deal with their issues and their drug addiction, but it is community recovery support that is ultimately going to save people.

Posted by John on 02 Oct 08 10:03 AM EDT
I am very glad that Linda S. states she is no longer relapsing, but when you are on methadone you are not clean. Methadone is a substitute drug but still a drug.

Posted by Carla on 01 Oct 08 09:15 PM EDT
I am incredibly grateful for all the hard work that A&E,NCADD and faces and voices of recovery put into this event and all that they are doing to reduce the stigma of addiction and promoting recovery. There were over 4000 recovery people at the Brooklyn Bridge on Sept. 27th 2008. It is so important to have the incredible talent that we have supporting this movement. I am so grateful that this is happening during my life time. i was blessed to be the Oregon delegate and it was a life changing experience for me. Thank you A&E for all you are doing. Oregon Delegate

Posted by LINDA S on 27 Sep 08 11:46 PM EDT
I HAVE 19 MONTHS CLEAN AFTER RELAPSING MY WHOLE LIFE IAM 45 YRS I AM ON THE METHODONE PROGRAM HOWEVER I ATTEND NA MEETINGS I LOVE YOUR SHOW IT SHOWS THE RAW GRITTY UN MANAGEABLE LIVES ADDICTS HAVE RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE I AM ALWAYS PRAYING FOR THOSE SISTERS AND BROTHERS I SEE SUFFERING I KOW THIS FEELING ALL TOO WELL I AM LINDA AND I AM A RECOVERING ADDICT

Posted by Itsme on 22 Sep 08 08:25 PM EDT
This is great. If we could only increase treatment funding for people who are indigent and increase pay for people who provide treatment for people who are indigent.

Posted by kathy in nm on 22 Sep 08 05:23 PM EDT
I am clean now for 2 years and I LOVE what you all are doing .thats all 4 now

Posted by John Reiman on 22 Sep 08 12:29 PM EDT
It's a great thing A&E is doing and I'll be in Brooklyn to show my support.

Posted by Terri on 22 Sep 08 10:46 AM EDT
As an addiction counselor, I appreciate Intervention and the Cleaner, and believe that families suffering the same issues will see it is not just their family suffering and may find some answers as to what to do to start the process of healing. Working with adolescents, I know families are relieved just to know they are not alone and to see that recovery does not always work is a reality that they need to know as well. Intervention has shown that. I am a devoted fan to both shows and will keep watching and learning.

Posted by S from Midwest on 21 Sep 08 03:17 PM EDT
While I'm optimistic that mainstream media are trying to tackle the issue of addiction with compassion and truth, A&E's "Intervention" makes me uneasy. In "Intervention," loved one are lead to believe that saying yes to treatment is the be all, end all of addiction. We never hear the interventionist discuss the difference between treatment and recovery, between overcoming dependence to drugs and conquering the addiction and its root causes. There's also no talk of the likelihood of relapse. Maybe it's just edited out, but I worry for all involved that they are not seeing the full picture of treatment and recovery. We see very little - if anything - of the addicted person post-treatment. I wish "Intervention" would chronicle the full story of addiction, treatment, and recovery. Instead, A&E enforces the idea that all an addicted person needs to do is "hit bottom" and experience "tough love." More often than not, it seems that the intervention "fails," and it's unclear that A&E provides any type of long term support for these families who clearly see the show as their last hope.

Posted by Bren O'Neal on 21 Sep 08 08:21 AM EDT
I try never to miss watching Intervention it depicts the truth of the disease of alcohol and drug addiction. With a great plan for recovery always in place to help any family facing the crisis that sweeps across our nation. I enjoyed watching the reunion show that told where the addict and families are now in their recovery. It gets peoples heads out of the sand in the midst of saving lives. Great job A&E for bringing awareness of treatments for some it has been their last resort in getting help for their loved ones.

Posted by Broken61908 on 20 Sep 08 09:37 AM EDT
I'll bet that will be a mighty long chain! My son passed away in June 08' from this terrible disease. He fought hard and struggled even harder trying to stay clean, but it finally beat him. I miss him very much - RIP Mark!

Posted by Been There on 18 Sep 08 07:18 PM EDT
Apparently, our culture loves to watch people suffer. The Intervention series sensationalized very ill people in their struggle to get well and banked on the pain, frustration and the very personal agony of family members to have A&E grab ratings. Personally, I think ill of their motives. On the other hand, if any accurate portrayal of people who truly are experience the joyous freedom of recovery occurs, perhaps the end may, almost, justify the means. Hopefully, no one will get hurt by being seen nationwide on the Brooklyn bridge.

Posted by LK on 18 Sep 08 02:19 PM EDT
Pre-register for the Recovery Rally on September 27th at www.therecoveryproject.com. Hope to see you there!

Posted by Evelyn Munoz on 18 Sep 08 01:25 PM EDT
A&E needs to be commended for thier involvent in the Drug Problem. Besides Intervention I also find The Cleaner to be a success in their presentation of addiction and treatment very . I hav e been in the field for 25 years and neer saw any other network dedicate time such as A&E is doing. Congratulation and see you on the Brooklyn bridge.

Posted by J on 18 Sep 08 01:24 PM EDT
As A person who is in recovery, I am always pleased to see the positive focus on recovery from this terrible disease! You have to maintain rigorous honesty and action to avoid falling back into old behaviors. I am looking forward to watching this program. My expierience, strength & hope: Trust God Clean house Help others! To any one in active addiction. Fight, Fight for yourself... You are worth it!!!!!!

Posted by Kat on 18 Sep 08 12:59 PM EDT
I am always glad to see anything that raises awareness about the disease of addiction and treatment. My daughter died from the disease. However, I am skeptical about A&E. I have watched Intervention several times and it seems each time the majority of the show is spent on watching the addict feed their addiction and very little is shown about their recovery. I hope their initiative to raise awareness isn't just about shock value and publicity.

Posted by Joseph on 18 Sep 08 10:39 AM EDT
As a person in recovery as well as the person selected to represent the State of North Carolina at this event, I am invigorated by how far we have come to combat the stigma of addiction and show the power of recovery. It is time to showcase the success's and use them as a foundation to show that treatment works and that there should be more of it available. This is a great beginning.....let's keep it up!!!!

Posted by It is Woderful to see this happeninig on 18 Sep 08 10:13 AM EDT
It is a good thing to see these type of programs being aired to bring addiction, and recovery out into the open! Because it is real, and happening everyday. Someone picks up for the first time. Without this type of programs, Intervention and Recovery, I could still be out there using. Keepp the good work! Carolyn

Posted by David on 18 Sep 08 09:51 AM EDT
It's about time!!!! Hat's off to A&E! Hat's off to all that work in treatment. It's not just a job.

Posted by Shannon on 18 Sep 08 08:48 AM EDT
This is great! I'm looking forward to seeing the PSA's. Thank you A&E!

Posted by Molly on 17 Sep 08 10:13 AM EDT
It is really nice to see a media powerhouse such as A&E stepping up to use their success for the good of the community. This is a rare thing in today's world. "Good job!!!" to A&E and all the partners. Peace ~ Molly

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