Intervention Canada to reveal challenges of addiction, premieres Monday night on CBC Docs
"Intervention Canada" airs the premiere episode of its third season exclusively on CBC's Documentary Channel, Monday night.
The reality television series takes a look inside the world of the addict showing viewers the work of professional interventionists invited by families to help them when all hope seems lost.
"A lot of addicts really think they're isolated, it's an isolating disease, that no one cares anymore," said Andrew Galloway, a Toronto-based Substance Abuse and Behavioural Health Specialist. He is an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor working with the show.
"When the family comes forward and says, 'we love you, you're hurting us in the following ways, … this behaviour needs to change, but here's some help,' 90 per cent of people will accept that help."
A recovering addict himself, Galloway says "Intervention Canada" is an important program because it raises awareness about the challenge alcohol and drug addiction places on the community surrounding an addict. He sought help for his addiction to crack and alcohol about 15 years ago in what he says was a "moment of clarity."
"I got to a place where I was either going to die or change ... I put my hand up and had the courage to ask for help and fortunately was able to get it when I did ask."
He says he offers his own experiences to the addicts that the team is intervening on and opens up a sense of trust by relating to the guilt and shame all addicts experience along the journey to recovery.
"That helps me build an alliance with the person I'm intervening on because I've been there. I also can give them a little hope and say look, my life's changed," said Galloway.
"Unfortunately, too many Canadians when they want help, they try and get it and there's these long waiting lists to get in to get that help that they need. When someone wants that help it's a shame that we're not able to provide it."
Wait times for services in B.C. can range anywhere from two weeks to three months for admission to a rehab facility according to Drug Rehab Services.
Galloway has said that the success rates of recovery of the addicts and their families from the previous seasons of the show ranges from about 70 to 90 per cent. Through the series, he hopes to give addicts and their families a sense of hope.
"I think we're providing Canadians with insight into what thousands of people go through every year, watching loved ones struggle. Families realize that there is a way out and that they're not alone," he said.
With files from the CBC's The Early Edition.
To hear the full interview listen to audio labelled: Andrew Galloway, interventionist with Intervention Canada, shares importance of hard-hitting television series
