'Addicted,'
been there, done that
TLC reality series on addiction brings nothing new
By Tom Conroy
Mar 16, 2010
After so many documentaries and reality shows about drug abuse and recovery, not to mention the countless fictional treatments in movies and on TV, it would seem nearly impossible to come up with new insights into the subject.
“Addicted,” a well-intentioned documentary series premiering on TLC at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, suggests that it may in fact be impossible. As the premiere episode traces one addict’s experiences before, during and after rehab, viewers see little they haven’t seen before.
Although this isn’t the show’s fault, the case in the premiere episode follows too many familiar patterns and fails to come to an emotionally satisfying conclusion.
The series’ star, a recovered substance abuser turned “interventionist” named Kristina Wandzilak, who will treat one addict in each episode, is part of the problem. Her earnest, calm manner may be good for her patients, but it’s bad for TV. The platitudes of the recovery movement sound even flatter coming out of her mouth.
The patient whose case is shown, a 31-year-old divorced mother named Amanda, has gone through the usual cycles of treatment and relapse, in the process ruining her relationship with her long-suffering parents and her 12-year-old daughter.
As taping begins, Amanda is living with her parents, who are going away for a few days on vacation. In the most interesting part of the hour, Amanda proceeds to break into the liquor supply, invite some friends over for a party, scam some cash out of her grandfather and buy and shoot heroin.
People behave differently in front of cameras, and this segment raises the issue of whether it is irresponsible to allow troubled individuals to act out their issues for public consumption and whether the producers should perhaps have stopped filming and intervened themselves.
After the parents return, some expected drama fails to occur because Kristina has decided not to do a surprise intervention, so Amanda knows what’s coming. Little of the subsequent detox or counseling is shown. And one dramatic event that could have serious consequences happens off camera.
The post-treatment family reunion passes unmemorably.
It’s probably irresponsible to criticize a show for failing to capture enough jaw-dropping scenes of emotional or physical trauma; no one wants TV producers out there encouraging people to put themselves or others at risk.
But producers need to find new ways to enliven familiar material. “Addicted” may be worthwhile viewing for those who haven’t already absorbed the lessons of the recovery movement. For the rest of us, it’s old news.
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