As Intervention comes to an end later this year, nearly two-thirds of the A&E show’s alumni are still sober.
“We’re honored to have been a part of the 243 interventions since its premiere in March of 2005, leading to the 156 individuals that are currently sober to this day,” said David McKillop, Executive Vice President of Programming for A&E Network and BIO Channel, in a press release last week.*
That is a wildly impressive statistic, considering most rehab facilities only have 10 to 20 percent success rates.
Throughout eight years and 13 season, the addicts profiled on the docuseries have shared their tragic stories with the audience under the premise of a “show about addiction.” Near the end of the episodes, the addicts are approached by family, friends and an intervention specialist and are encouraged to enter rehabilitation.
For as heartbreaking as the episodes are, the hope is always that the addicts are able to accept the help offered to them and redeem themselves.
A&E recently announced that this season will be the Emmy-winning show’s last. The final series of episodes will premiere on June 13 at 9/8 PM CST. The first of five episode will feature Jessica, a 29-year-old heroin addict who is squatting in an abandoned house on the West side of Chicago.
*In addition to drug and alcohol addiction, the show also featured a handful of people suffering from eating, gambling and shopping addictions. McKillop likely grouped those who were able to recover from their non-substance addictions along with those who are sober.
