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Season 6 Episode 11

Joey

Age: 25
Location: Pittsburgh
Addiction: Heroin
What’s memorable: The sad, action-packed adventure intervention. Also memorable for me – He seems like he was probably a completely awesome guy when he was sober & in the program, before his latest relapse. The kind of guy you’d want as your sponsor, ya know?

Legacy Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u91CF0-Q4Aw

Official synopsis:  With a terrifying addiction to heroin, Joey’s career as a tattoo artist is in jeopardy. His parents divorced when he was three. At 13, Joey started smoking marijuana and soon graduated to ecstasy, LSD, and heroin. When he stole his mother’s credit cards, she reluctantly filed charges and he went to jail. He has a daughter now, but the girl’s mother is afraid to let Joey be alone with her. An intervention is the only way to stop Joey from overdosing.

Original Air Date: August 2009
Interventionist: Ken

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  1. Sara

    Joey! I absolutely loved seeing the update on tonight’s episode. This story touched me, the way his family split and made new families while he wasn’t sure what to do with himself totally resonated with me. And such a talented artist he is. I always wondered if he stuck with it for his beautiful baby. She’s not a baby anymore! He looks great! Keep making that art, Joey.

    1. Ruth

      I was just coming here to say something similar, Sara. In the original episode I was struck by what a nice guy he seemed to be and someone who was pretty realistic about the challenges ahead. It was wonderful to see him doing so well and being a business owner and a good father. Great success story.

      1. Laura

        Really? Nice guy? Genuinely surprised at that. He seemed horrible. Didnt see any redeeming qualities about him at all. Glad hes doing better though and hope he apologised to his family and especially his mum for his brattish behaviour

      2. Cindy

        I agree with you Laura. I just had no feelings either way for him. Glad he’s doing better.

  2. Hector

    I’m surprised this episode only has a couple of comments so far. I just finished watching this and wow that is one of the most dramatic intervention showdowns ever on the show. I was crying watching his little brothers chase after him running down the streets and into the subway begging him to get help. He is doing great in the recent update. I am so happy Joey is sober and has rebuilt his life. He has a big heart and a great talent to share with the world. Sobriety is making him thrive. I’m very happy for him and his loving family. Bravo!

  3. Tobie

    This was weird to watch since I grew up in Pittsburgh and took that subway/trolley a million times lol. I kept wondering if someone stayed behind to pay all the fares when they all just ran past the fare attendant? Anyway, I’m glad there is a happy ending!

  4. Laura

    I’m glad hes doing better but oh my god he was on one the most dislike able people I’ve seen on intervention. The way he spoke to his mum was disgusting, I wouldnt be able to live with myself if I talked to my mine like that.

    1. Xlio

      Addicts don’t typically act like angels. It’s part of the disease. When I was at my worst, I was anyone but myself. Other addicts, you can tell they’re just jerks inherently, but with Joey you can tell there’s still a sweet guy in there.

      So ya addicts act like brats to get what they want.

  5. Bee

    Whoa bit of an adrenalin rush at the end there… that was some awesome follow through from Ken! How sweet were Joey’s little brothers… I guess not so little now! Kind of crazy how cold it was, snowing even, and there’s people just standing around in T shirts?!

  6. Honey

    Omg just watched this episode, off subject but the guy sitting next to Joey on the train just carried on reading his newspaper even with all the chaos going on around him had me cracking up. Anyway, I really loved at the end when Joey said he’s realised he always felt abandoned but now he realised that wasn’t true because his mom really came across like a sweet lady that tried her best to be there for him. I hope he’s doing well but to be honest in his update video I didn’t think he looked very healthy..

  7. Dahlia

    Was on board with him, up until about the 2:40 mark when I saw a “9/11 TRUTH NOW” poster on his tattoo shop’s wall. It’s when he’s escorting a customer to the front desk. That was pretty much it for me lol

  8. Molly

    What a baby! Lolll running away from his mom like a teenager. Couldn’t sympathize with this one much at all.

    1. Luke

      Agreed Molly. He was a PoS in my opinion! People in these comments always give these people a free pass because they blame “the drugs.” No. He was a terrible person.

  9. Kara Bishop

    I am wondering if all the people who left negative comments if they have never been an addict themselves. It is not an excuse, drugs change your behavior. What matters is when he’s clean if he’s apologize for his behavior to those he hurt. And at the end when he was at the treatment facility you saw the true Joey… And on his update you saw how he was with his daughter… I really liked Joey and I so happy that he finally realized that his parents did want him and he did belong… And I’m also really happy that his daughter has her dad in her life! I hope he is still doing well and having a happy life!

    1. Kara Bishop

      I looked at his Facebook and he’s doing so well he looks completely healthy and happy… He just got married, his daughter is in his life! So happy Joey to see your life is full of happiness, love, and sobriety!

  10. Alyssa

    Joes little brothers broke my heart 🙁 seeing them run the streets to try and talk to him and at such young ages. I also felt so sad for his dad who was trying and he wouldn’t even try to listen to him. Hoping this family is still doing well, especially those sweet brothers who love him so much!

  11. Heather

    I found it kind of interesting that Joey thought by running he was messing up the show, when in reality he would have been one of those half episodes if he hadn’t made it so interesting by running.