Season 12, Episode 4
Dennis
Age: 41
Location: Belton, Missouri
Addiction: Meth
What’s memorable: How he walks 20 miles a day just wandering the streets, how he took the rap for his dad and went to prison and everything went to shit while he was there, but he still managed to get out and make a great life for his family until the housing market collapsed and it all went to shit again. How great his family was doing after his intervention.
Official Synopsis: Once a big-hearted Christian family man, Dennis uses his meth addiction to run from the past that haunts him, while his family falls apart.
Original Air Date: August 2012
Interventionist: Jeff
Dennis- the way your family was affected and how they responded by still loving you and seeing you for who you were before addiction was rare to see. I cried when I saw your episode when your kids read their letters!
Simply a question. I am frequently confused by whenever a divorce happens and A&E puts into writing that ” ‘so-and-so’ chose to live with ‘this parent’ “. I feel like something is missing when they do that. This episode is one of those examples. Dennis was very young at the time of the divorce, and I wish we could get a bit more insight into that decision. Did the parents sit him down and let him decide etc.? I don’t believe this is the first time they state that a child chose the parent to live with, and I wish just maybe for one extra line or two on the matter. I always find that very abrupt. Like if it was that they let Dennis decide as a child, then write it as “Dennis’ parents allowed him to decide which parent he wanted to live with, and he chose his dad.” Otherwise I feel slightly like it’s possible the mom wanted Dennis or maybe there was some arguement, but just too abrupt. Maybe I am the only one that feels this way! But since divorce is often a huge part of many of these people’s lives, I feel a bit more insight would be good.
Court case about his father Dennis Moore, Sr. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-8th-circuit/1455017.html
Any updates on dennis now?
Dennis is doing great. he is dealing with some health issues now, but we are hoping that we found the solution. thank you everyone who showed concern.
Also I am so sorry to those who are suffering. This world is so cruel and cold. God loves you.
Life gets you down, it’s hard. This show is supposed to let you connect and think about these people as babies and not worthess addicts. Some of my family is addicted. I went through a party phase and everyone threw me away. It’s way more complicated than whose to blame. He found Jesus that is what will save you from literally any problem with time. Judgers lay off and look at yourself your not perfect no one is.
https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Woman-accused-of-helping-burn–570053291.html
Is that his daughter?!! I just saw his episode on Vice! Omg, his children’s letters had me in tears! Praying for this family!
No his daughters name was Taylor. Idk what the article has to do with anything
I believe it is his new wife Tonya. I could be wrong and I hope that I am but it fits the profile. Maybe someone else can weigh in??
That article spells it Tanya, and Dennis’ gf (later wife according to above) spells it Tonya. Also a different state. Not that people can’t move, but it’s doubtful.
His fb page no longer shows up, unfortunately. Hope he and his family are still doing well.
Right in the feels, this one. So happy you turned your entire perspective on life around, Dennis. Peace be with you.
This episode brought me to TEARS. My heart goes out to every one of them. The letters from the kids… I could not stop crying. And his wife that was so loving and forgiving. Dennis seemed like a man with a good soul who had a rough childhood that he tried hard to escape with drugs. Sometimes demons follow you even when you have a good wife and kids who want you back. I hope he’s doing well – and I hope those kids and Mom can heal.
Oh no, was rooting for him (his episode was replayed today). Not that I wish any ill will on him (as a former addict myself) but he’s a Trump supporter?? Would think most addicts/former addicts would see through Trump’s BS and lack of compassion for anyone. Hope he’s still clean.
It happens more often than you think, especially if they “find God” in the process.
So this is one of those Interventions that I can’t stop thinking about. I wanted Dennis to get sober so bad. I was so bummed watching the ending.
So fast forward…. it’s now August 2020.
So does anyone know about Dennis???
This episode really touched me. He seemed like such a good man but just couldn’t stay away from that disgusting meth. His family was so loving too.
Does anyone know if Dennis got sober??
Praying he did. And hoping his family is doing well either way.
Thank you to anyone that can answer.
Oh, I see Dennis Moore posted here. I just read it. So glad he is happy and sober now.
If anyone missed it scroll up to read it. 😊
Hey all, pretty sure I found his Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028622855629
Not sure if he’s using or not, lots of comments about prayer and god
Hey thanks for posting his facebook page!
Unfortunately, it looks like he is a crazy Jesus nutter now, but I guess it’s good that he is off drugs.
I just wish, for once, I could find a story where someone gets sober WITHOUT having to rely on imaginary stories and beings. It’d be nice to know that one can get off drugs without having to go all crazy into religion.
I am not religious, but I don’t insult those who are.
Is it only Christians you hate or are Muslims and Buddhists included too ?
Christians are the dominant religion in this country, and they overwhelmingly force their beliefs onto others.
One of my favorite gifs ever was one which said, “the strongest motivation I’ve ever had to not do hard drugs is becoming a Jesus freak after I recover”.
Stefan – that’s freaking hilarious
Where is Dennis today? It’s now 2020
I’m just wondering how old his daughter is because if she was seven when he got out of prison and he did seven years then how would that make his two sons and where they born after he got out of prison because his daughter doesn’t look very old and I’m thinking I guess that’s her child at the end ?
I’m proud to say Dennis is my brother not by blood but by choice.. he’s a very strong individual and I’m so proud of him… Butch I love you
This message is for those who try to lay blame where there is no blame to be had. Everyone struggles and it’s not up to us to pass judgment. That’s left to a higher power. I rarely comment or give my opinion on other peoples lives but after seeing this rerun, I was desperate to know how things are progressing. Not to pass judgment or to lay blame, but to hope that things are turning out well for everyone and if not, just to say, don’t give up. Stay strong and keep fighting because you are all worth it. I was raised in a very strict home and was never exposed to alcohol or drugs but when I got older and had my first child, I watched his fathers downfall and then again with the father of my second son. When I hit my early 40s, I saw the tell tale signs with my significant other and not wanting to deal with it, I continued working on the road 100% hoping that he would find his own way but what I didn’t realize is that I was enabling him in my chosen absence. After another 10 years of working on the road and ignoring the obvious, I knew things had to change. I requested an at home assignment, stopped traveling, sold my house and moved closer to my son and his wife. I also gave my significant other the option to get sober and come with me. He accepted and went to rehab. Unfortunately, two months into his sobriety, I lost my best friend to a relaps. She had just completed in 30 days of sobriety when her husband called me with the news. At her funeral he handed me the letter that she wrote to me in detox and now, 10 months later, I still can’t open the letter. It hangs in a frame on the wall waiting until I am ready to except her passing and read her last words. To my significant other, is a reminder of what was just lost and to stay the course. This is not an easy path to navigate. At times there are more thorns than roses but, there are roses. Whether you are the addict or dealing with one, it’s a hard situation and a recovery road it goes on for infinity. My final words are to anybody that wants to pass down judgment, DON’T…. as we pass enough judgment on ourselves every day about what we should or shouldn’t do.
This family is strong and they have shown they will continue to fight no matter how many curve balls come their way and for that, I am truly inspired.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Dennis I just watched your episode today, I really felt for you, but I’m so glad to have found this thread and see that you’re doing so well. Truly amazing! Best of luck
this episode brought me to tears, and not just a couple small drops, like crying with snot running down my face kind of thing, his children pleading with him at the intervention did it for me, i couldnt take it. i grew up the child of an addict and i can absolutly relate to where those poor children were coming from. i read so many comments on here blaming the man’s wife or his dad, just passing the buck on who’s fault this is, over looking that the only person at fault is Dennis, he is the only one capable of making choices for his life. addiction is now defined as a sickness, a mental disease, please keep in mind that this is coming from a recovered opiate addict, that went through probably more in less then a year then what most go through in a life time,i grew up w a father as an addict, and at a young age 16 to be exact became an addict myself, after growing up telling myself that id never turn out like my dad, i found myself hooked on pain killers at age 16, got married at age 18 my husband never knew a thing about my addicition, i hid it from him for the next 5 years, we had our first daughter 1 year after our wedding day i was able to stay clean for my pregenancy, and immediatly relapsed after i gave birth, i got further and further out there, i began to sell my body for drugs, i stole whatever i could get my hands on, i lied about everything, and all of it hidden from my husband, i lived two different lives, the one he thought i was and the one i really was, after 5 years he found out, not only about my addicition but what i had been doing to maintain it, certain that he was going to leave me and take our daughter with him i was ready to give up on life and threatend suicide, and ending up in the hospital for 8 days while i detoxed, in those 8 days God preformed such a miracle in my life, my husband forgave me, something i never thought possible, but he did, he became a completely different man and husband after 5 years of living basically as roommates instead of husband and wife, having two seperate lives, he began spending all his spare time with me and his daughter something he never did, we began to pray and read the Bible togethher, he opened his heart up to me, he shared his feelings with, something our marriage had never been, but what i had always wanted it to be, he stood by my side he took me to rehab and the doctor, he was there for me, for the 1st time in our entire marriage he was there, then 2 months later, we went kyaking, just him and i, after we went to church for the first time in our whole relationship we went to church, then wanted to spend the da together we decided to go fishing in our new kyaks, then as we where ready to leave, heading back accross the watershed, we stopped to take a break, he accidently flipped his kyak over, and in his panic he drown, even though i did everything i could to save him, i couldnt, that was the day i relapsed, becoming more strung out then i had ever been before, i found out that i was pregenant with our second daughter, the same day as his funeral, and sadly that wasnt enough to make me stop, it took almost loosing my other daughter before i decided to quit, my inlaws got an emergancy temperary custody order in an attempt to take her from me for good, and the week they had her i reached my bottom, and i finally turned to God and laid it all down at His feet, and begged for help and my child to come back to me, i felt as though i was now mourning her death as well cause i knew if they were permitted to keep her id never see her again. since that week i have not touched a drug, and dont plan to, God gave my daughter back, He allowed my second daughter to be born healthy and whole inspite of my actions, we bought a home, and now are doing well. I finally decided my children matter to me far more then a drug, or anything else in this world, and that is the choice all addicts have to make, they have to find whatever it is that they care more about, what they want to fight for more then anything, and square off with their addiction, and fight for what means more on a daily basis. i dont know how much of a disease it is, i dont feel it truly is, its a choice u make within urself, u decide that either the drug is more important or is it what u care for more important and make a chice on a day to day basis to either pick up or not to and to say no daily, u have to choose to change, and the reason i dont feel its a true disease is because people who have diseases didnt choose to have it, thats all. but i pray that dennis can one day decide that his kids that love him are far more important than dope, but theres no one or anything to blame other then him for the choices he made, just like me, i chose to do drugs when my husband died even though i was pregenant, even though my 4 year old daughter needed me, i still decided to numb it all and use, just like i chose to put it down, and fight for what mattered to me, to beat addiction, and i can only hope he does the same, cause dope takes u 1 of 2 places and we all know where they are.
i have been clean for five years and 3 months, and still counting, but as i stated above, it was a choice that only i could make, and am so thankful that God allowed me the chance to make that choice, and He saw me through, just as He continues to see me through each and every day
Wow Amber, I’m sorry you had to go through all that. When I read the part about your husband flipping over in the kayak, my jaw dropped. I almost drowned that way. I had given out using my arm to thrust my head up for air. Once I went limp, my foot dislodged. I went from thinking “it’s over” to “I’m gonna live” in a split second. I got to the surface just in time to breathe air. Death should have gotten me that day. Why did it have to get your husband? Life can be so mysterious and unfair. Despite the tragedies we face, you, Dennis, and countless others show the strength and courage many of us are grasping for. Thanks for sharing.