Season 2, Episode 12
John
Age: 33
Location: Boston
Addiction: Alcohol, cocaine, crack
Update: John sent me an email – he’s doing really well. He’s been sober since his intervention almost 9 years ago and is married with a son. He even gives talks at local high schools, sharing his story in the hopes it can help students. Congratulations for all you’ve accomplished in your sobriety John, and thanks for keeping us updated.
Legacy Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuFlLzRgLOo
Official synopsis: At 33, all John can see is the loss in his life. His mother died when he was 12. This year, he lost his sister, his cousin and his best friend. His only escape from it all is in his addiction to crack and alcohol, an addiction that has already come close to taking his life. His family and friends cannot imagine losing someone else. Their only hope is an intervention and the possibility that John will seek treatment.
Original Air Date: July 2006
Interventionist: Jeff
John looked so hopeful at the update on his episode, but WOW did he look Amazing on the Skype call with Jeff tonight!! So glad he is still doing well, you just knew he was a good guy under the disease. So shocked I’m the first to comment, he is such an Intervention success.
I’m glad they followed up with John. That was hard to watch, but I had a feeling he would stay sober!
On a lighter note…is it just me, or does John kinda look like Bob Saget?
Wonderful to hear John is doing well! You can tell he has a kind soul.
wow, how terribly sad the losses he’s suffered. the father…what a piece of shit! to not participate in the intervention and try to save his son is bad enough. but to abandon your kids after their mother died? he forced them to raise themselves! that makes me so angry. i wish i could give that scumbag a piece of my mind! and he has to live with this guy! granted it’s bc of his addiction, but still. that’s gotta be awful. it’d make you want to do more drugs and drink! i did hate how selfish he was. i mean i get it, he’s an addict, but to call his bf’s mom crying woe is me, i miss paul. dude, she lost her SON! i think he realized that after he got sober though. also, they don’t say how he pays for his habits like they do in every other episode. i want to know. but in the end, i’m so glad he stuck it out and is is doing so well. he seems like a great guy!!
Ha!! I had the EXACT same thought during that scene with him talking to Paul’s mom (“dude, she lost her SON!”) I just chalked it up to the immaturity that he himself remarked on later.
So glad you’ve made it, John. Wish you all the best.
I absolutely admire John’s story. He looks absolutely amazing, and I am so proud of his story it inspired me so much that I saw myself in so many ways as far as using his best friend I am turning to alcohol and drugs. I lost my best friend for years ago and nothing else seems to numb the pain buy drugs and alcohol I don’t know any other way to cope with my feelings. I blame myself in so many ways for losing her I wish there was a way I could’ve stopped her from going out the night she went out. So many people tell me she was a very unhappy person and she drink her life away and it was not my fault I tried my best to help her but I feel like I failed her. I would love the chance to be able to meet John one day just to sit and converse with him Share our stories maybe he can give me some insight on how I can help myself get out of this dark cloud. I am also from Massachusetts about 45 minutes from Boston. If that is possible my contact is listed below. Good Bless
Oh my goodness! The relief I feel seeing that he is doing well now is immense! With all the grief and abandonment he endured, I didn’t have optimistic feelings about his situation. I am so glad now!!!!
I’m watching him now and I remember the first time I saw this episode. I felt so badly for him, he seemed like a nice enough guy. Glad to read that he is in recovery.
I love this episode so much! It’s so hard not to like John and root for him. His self-awareness and enthusiasm during and after treatment were just remarkable. I’m so glad to see the update above that he’s doing well, I only wish I knew how old that was, and that things are still going great for him and his family!
John seemed like a good guy to me. Looks like he has kept himself clean. Good for him!
I recently contacted John through emails and he says he is still sober! His story is amazing as well being able to help others with addiction.
Loved this episode. John seems like such a great guy. I was beyond tickled by the way he’s embraced sobriety. He was on such a destructive path with no purpose in life, and now he has one! I loved the scenes where he was playing with the kids in his family and I’m super glad he has his own now.