Season 10, Episode 7
Luke
Age: 23
Location: San Francisco, California
Addiction: Crack
What’s memorable: Living on the streets with his mother who is willingly homeless just so she can keep an eye on her son. That’s some crazy co-dependency there. The craziness that he spouts when he’s high is disturbing. The intervention and followup is a tear jerker, very affecting. I hope this family is well now.
Official Synopsis: Luke, 23, dreams of a career in photojournalism, but his daily cocktail of drugs has derailed his college plans and left both him and his mother struggling to survive on the streets of San Francisco.
Original Air Date: August 2011
Interventionist: Rod
Hi Luke,
I don’t know if you will read this (probably not), but it’s clear to me that your stepfather is very jealous of you. He sees you as a competitor and an obstacle for your mom’s love. He does not care about you like a father figure should. Once you have processed your abandonment issues from your biological dad, your resentment towards your stepdad should alleviate. And your addiction issues should get better. But I’m just an observer and a passerby. Remember your addiction is your responsibility and the more you blame others for it, the worse it gets. Hope you’re well.
Luke, it’s been a while since you last commented. I’m hoping you’re doing well. If not, you can always email me, and I will listen and offer advice with no judgment. Your episode was so powerful for me, and it helped me in my recovery. Even though we don’t know each other, I related to you and I felt like I wasn’t alone in this. Feeling alone, like you’re never going to beat this, you can’t trust anyone, nobody wants to be near you, you’re damaged goods, etc., is going to keep you addicted. You are not alone. You can beat this. You can find people that you can trust and that you can depend on. You are worth it. If you feel like talking to someone other than family, you can email me, and I will listen and offer advice without any judgment. I’ll still be thinking about you. Please be well.
Hi Luke,
Just watching your episode. Hoping you are doing well. Remember you have so many people sending you positive thoughts
Hi Luke. I doubt you still keep active with this forum, I hope all is well for you and your family. I’ve watched nearly every episode of this show that is out. None have made me cry, or even come close. Your episode brought me to tears. Your story is a painful one, a story I understand morbidly well. I hope you manage to stay clean, or at least continue to live a happy and healthy life.
I hate this stepdad more than I’ve hated anyone else on this show. What a terrible person. Luke spent his childhood being called racial slurs and a piece of shit by the person who was supposed to be the father figure in his life, and then the stepdad acts like he’s above all of this and wants nothing to do with him.
Nothing on Shantel? At all?
As far as Luke goes— You are so inspirational. I’ve relapsed so many times, fighting another one as we speak. Would love to know how you’re doing; good or bad, both are a part of life! I could really use someone like you to look up to & would love to hear from you how you’ve done it before. If you’re still using, maybe telling me will light a fighter inside you to get back on track. You’re middle name should be perseverance, or resilient.
-Samantha H
There is a lot on Shantal on her comment section. They appeared in the same show but Dizzy gives every person their own site, which I like a lot btw.
I hope Luke does fine these days!
Hello Luke,
I’m not sure where you are now but I hope you are doing ok. I have been sober for 20 years and because a substance abuse counselor for youth so I can help to guide them in healing their hearts and minds that is where all the stuff is at.
How is your family are you still in contact.
I’m including my email so you write if you get a change. My drug of choice was also Crack s well as too many others to count. I had unresolved trauma and didn’t realize how much it affected me until I finished EMDR it really helped me file things in my brain so I can focus on finding my true self,
My email is on here and please feel to write me. Sending support 🖤🌙⭐️
I know it’s been so many years. Your episode was just on and I never rooted for someone so much. Does anyone know anything about this amazing Luke?!
I don’t think I ever hated a parent more than Luke’s step-dad. What a jerk! My heart breaks for Luke. Sweet, intelligent, young man, who suffered at the hands of his dysfunctional family. Poor Luke! These mothers who don’t protect their own children from their abusive husbands make me sick! Your children should come first always! Then you wonder why they become f’ed up?! Seriously. No excuses. I also think his mom chooses to be homeless with him because of GUILT. Not just enabling. She feels bad for not protecting him as a child. I pray for Luke! I wish someone had updates! Xo
Yes… especially because if anyone could reLate it would be him. Everything he put them through didn’t matter until it was someone else.., his own son.
Selfish self centered.
The stepfather got off way too easy in this episode and these comments. He didn’t just lose his temper sometimes, like he said.. Luke said he would call him a “piece of shit,” among other things, to make him feel unwanted and unloved. Luke’s using drugs to cope was because of this emotional abuse from a jealous adult when he was just a little kid needing love, not just “divorce.” I hope he is back on track.
How very sad! What an absolutely sweet boy who just needed a big cuddle especially from the stepfather who didn’t even hug him in the intervention! Poor Luke! I pray you are doing well and you and your mom are both happy and healthy! God bless
holy enabling mother!! i don’t even know what else to say! i haven’t even finished the episode but i had to come comment. to be willing to lose everything and actually live on the streets to enable your addicted child??? that’s insane. i know it was done out of a place of extreme love but just woah! that’s what jeff would say is loving him to death!
Dear Luke, When my son John told me he was in AA there started a steady stream of recovering addicts coming in and out of my home. All young adults and with such a variety of addictions. You were one that was special to me. You and Erin were the only two of all of them that I trusted John with as I frantically got him ready to go to rehab in Idaho, terrified to leave him alone during those three days. You really helped me. I came across this synopsis and the comments while looking for something else and you requested I not watch your episode and I have kept your wish. I actually don’t know a whole lot about you or certainly not where the path is taking you now. But I know that you and your family have a space deep down in my heart. John is still sober and lives with his dad outside of Boise. I rarely see him but we text. I miss him terribly and still fear a relapse. I guess that’s just part of it. Stay safe dear friend
Thinking of you, Luke. Wishing you well from Seattle!
Luke, I just watched your episode (again) and found myself thinking what an intelligent person you are. The books you had on your bed at the end of the episode. You have a deep heart, and I hope after your fall off, that you soon pulled yourself back together and are doing well.
Sincerely
Toreigh
You have a ride or die mom!!
Hope your doing well man!!!