Season 15, Episode 2
Sierra
Age: 19
Location: Redding, California
Addiction: Meth
What’s Memorable: Everything is memorable. Her eyes, her bare feet, how the words coming out of her mouth mean something to her and nothing to anyone else. Every person in her entire support system is an addict in recovery and she felt like she needed war stories but then couldn’t handled them when they happened. Sierra’s brain cannot deal with drugs. Donna shows up for this one in a big way. I don’t think that any other interventionist could have done this intervention better than she did.
Official Synopsis: The daughter of a small business owner, Sierra was an honor student with dreams of college and a career in journalism. But when a double-dealing artist charmed his way into her mother’s life, he gambled away their home and the bottom fell out of Sierra’s world, leading to a frightening drug-induced psychotic break. Today, the 19-year-old is a feral junkie, scrapping for a fix on the streets of Northern California.
Original Air Date: March 2016
Interventionist: Donna
https://www.facebook.com/100064793586105/posts/pfbid02KFt4Jf6sPNLcdqi3dHjgQLSAr3ygA8MRw6T7wv1zgGGimjkTDVbXumnwmGgyKjjdl/?d=n
She’s been arrested a couple of times for public intoxication, now this 🙁
Here’s her Facebook page:
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013791515551
Looks like it’s been taken down. I just tried to google her to see if she popped up anywhere since May but no luck.
It doesn´t exist anymore 🙁
Just went on her Facebook today and she’s not doing well. She posted a video and was very obviously using again. Another concerning thing is within a short period of maybe a couple months she’s lost a significant amount of weight which could be due to usage but I’m not really sure. I think she’s maybe been in and out of treatment as she looks healthier in some of her posts from a couple months ago but recently she doesn’t look too good. I feel bad for her because she is such a beautiful person(inside and out) and seemed to be a kind girl but she’s come across another roadblock. I really wish her the best in her recovery and if she is struggling I hope she seeks help again because she really needs and deserves it. Wishing her the best❤️❤️
Just a few weeks ago she posted a pic of her showing her underwear to the camera and there’s a guy smoking from a meth pipe in the background. She’s not well.
The update from an hour ago is just as bad if not worse I’m afraid:/
Just checked her FB. Not even 24hrs ago she posted a live & she’s very much actively using. On the plus side, in the comments she has a TON of support. I feel so bad for her— so much potential & so much beauty & because of her traumas & how men treated her, she just can’t see it or feel it.
http://50.230.66.240/NewWorld.InmateInquiry/Mendocino/Inmate/Detail/-237552
She was just picked up for parole violation and released last week.
I don’t know if anyone actually reads this, but this episode is a great case example of why the American judicial system is totally not equipped or appropriate to respond to mental health matters. This was forty minutes of a young woman screaming, in physical and mental anguish, and suffering an obvious and extremely serious mental health crisis. All the while, multiple times, she’s just thrown in the back of police cars, handcuffed, detained, arrested, and jailed. What kind of a country are we, that we put someone in this state into jail, punishing them, as if her brain could’ve even logically registered cause-and-effect at that moment? We can’t keep abusing people in mental health crises and thinking it’s gonna turn out okay. I shudder to think what could’ve happened to her if she had been a different color. Counselors, not cops.
AMEN
Not to mention being re-traumatized by being manhandled by men – with a history of sexual abuse. I do not blame the officers involved. If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem begins to look like a nail.
I suspect with the constant memes and references to getting high 50 times a day on Facebook, she isn’t sober at all
If anyone stumbles upon this like I did looking for a happy update on Sierra, she isn’t doing so well as of 2019/2020. It looks like her “boyfriend’ is also doing very poorly. I hope someday she finds the light she needs to overcome her struggles.
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Redding-Bike-Patrol-Busts-3-in-Drug-Related-Activities–505225091.html
https://www.redding.com/story/news/2019/06/29/shastas-most-wanted-week-june-30-2019/1606561001/
Just an update via her facebook (Sierra Rose Wilson) as of October 6, 2021 she was in another rehab. Wishing her the best.
This is one of Donna’s best interventions and really showcases her skills as an interventionist. Donna is brutally honest and direct while also being quite caring and supportive. I have seen many comments about her being too abrasive and mean, which is, in my opinion, comes from a pretty entitled, defensive perspective and comes from perhaps a subconscious negative view of Black women, particularly queer Black women.
Unfortunately, Intervention is not a very diverse show. The lack of diversity in Intervention subjects, however, is not necessarily the fault of the show itself as many marginalized communities are uncomfortable “airing their dirty laundry” and putting their family business out there. This is why episodes like season 15, episode 11 featuring Jonel or season 10, episode 5 featuring Larry are so unique and significant; it’s also why having Donna Chavous as an interventionist is so important. Not only does Donna bring diversity to the show, she also provides a different perspective culturally. While I do enjoy Sylvia and, for the most part, like her approach, she does a lot of coddling which is something that not every addict needs. I think Donna takes the opposite approach, and to many who are sensitive or aren’t used to people coming down hard on them and being honest, this comes off as her being mean and attacking them. I also think that her being a Black woman with a certain look (i.e., dreads) adds to casting Donna in a particular light with some white viewers. Those who come from privilege and live in a bubble usually have very fragile egos and can be very defensive, which are qualities Donna exposes and attempts to dismantle in her interventions. With Sierra, however, Donna has a different approach. She understands that this is the typical intervention, and that she’s dealing with someone deep in a drug-induced psychosis with mental issues. She is still direct and blunt in her delivery, yet she is careful in how she handles Sierra, making her the most equip interventionist for someone like Sierra.
Sadly, we live in a world that consistently demonizes and alienates Black women, so it’s not surprising that there’s so much hate towards the non-conforming, no-nonsense Black woman and nothing but praise and love for the sweet, soft-spoken, pretty white Southern lady.
Donna was brilliant with Sierra. She’s the only one who was able to get through to her. (That is NOT meant as an insult to Sierra’s family and friends) No coddling, no trying to be her BFF. She was blunt and got straight to the point. And it worked. To anyone who doesn’t believe there is a softer side to Donna, listen to her words about Sierra at the point of the episode when Sierra went to the hospital. Donna had some sweet, kind words to say about her. And you could just hear in her voice how much she wanted to help her. I would love to have Sylvia as a shrink to talk to about the problems in my life. But if i or any of my family/friends were addicted to drugs, I’d want Donna as the interventionalist. No nonsense, get straight to the point and tell it like it is.
NAIL👏ON👏THE👏HEAD👏
I was not aware that Donna was lgbt before reading this comment.
But anyway, I totally agree with you and think Donna is an awesome interventionist! And I think part of why Donna was especially good at dealing with somebody in meth induced psychosis is because she had been through an episode of meth induced psychosis herself, she knew exactly what it was like. Sort of like when they use Candy as an interventionist on episodes with adopted people or alcoholics because Candy is also adopted and alcoholic and understands. Donna offered an important perspective and approach towards helping Sierra deal with her issues.
Wow…had to turn nothing into something…shocker…so tired of it…
Very well said, totally agree
I absolutely agree – Donna is so underrated and mischaracterized, and this is evidenced by comment sections of many of her intervention episodes listed in the Intervention Directory. People who can’t see this are in some type of denial. Donna’s approach as a calm, firm, direct, and compassionate intervention facilitator is very effective and exactly what many addicts (and others in unstable mental conditions) need. She does not provoke or overreact – no matter how hairy things get. This solidifies that she is a safe support for the addicts and their families in the intervention process. I just love her.
I agree that Donna does not deserve the amount of derogation that she gets in this forum. I think she was a perfect choice for Sierra’s intervention as she really understood how to connect with someone who is in the midst of psychosis. Donna is also very direct in telling family members and friends exactly what they need to do to effect change in their lives whether their loved one gets help or not.
I live in redding, ca-where sierra is from. The episode with sierra was sad. I learned she returned to redding after the rehab. She was arrested, and was on the county jail inmate in custody website for a time-over a year-maybe more-for what i don’t recall. I think of her often. I hope she is doing okay. I wish i knew how she is doing currently. It’s july 2021. Hoping she is finding happiness, and that people DO care. I know i do. She touched my heart.
My husband grew up in Redding and has spoken to me at length about how the culture made drugs almost inescapable. He didn’t get sucked up into the drug scene, but his sister, brother, and a lot of their mutual friends did. They were somewhat insulated from consequences due to being children of a fairly prominent attorney who practices there still. When we were considering where to move, he was adamant Redding not even be an option because he worries about our kids getting sucked up in it.
From what I can piece together (and it’s hard to do without court docs), it looks like she was arrested initially for felony assault and was put on probation. Once she was pick up again or the probation violation is when they threw the book at her and sent her away for 3 years. It’s sad because looking at her Facebook prior to her going to prison she looked really good, really healthy, and even said that probation was the reason she got clean. Friends maintained the same story that she was doing good and was maintaining her sobriety. It’s sad this happened, and I hope that being sucked into the system like this isn’t going to cause her to relapse when she gets out. Her story was really gripping.
I hope you are doing well Sierra. Your episode touched my heart and I will be praying for your sobriety and victory over the hardships of life!
Oh, this is awful. Poor Sierra.
Sorry kids. Visit a psych ward, (or a jail) there are dozens like Sierra that no gives a shit about as their not on television.
This show has a way of magnifying a problem while eliminating the over-arching cause.
This is one of the most heart wrenching things I’ve ever seen. Battling my own meth addiction, being in and out of psychosis, this definitely hit home and kept me in empathetic tears the whole time. It gave me hope seeing all the people she had on her side because in active addiction we feel like were alone and that no one gives a shit but watching this made me realize that I’m wrong, people care they just don’t know what to do. I’m going to go forward and get back into recovery and say a prayer for this wonderful girl that she finds her way.
Beautiful, Derek. Wishing you well 🙌
https://www.facebook.com/sierra.hutchinson.16
Most recent post, she’s in jail for 3 years as of June 20, 2020.
I just Looked At her Facebook page . A friend of Sierra posted on her behalf that she just landed in jail and will be there for the next three years although he did not outline the charges he provided an inmate mailing address so her friends can write her letters while she is in lockup . We can only summarize then that her sobriety may be in question did she fall off the wagon ? Or are these just outstanding warrants or something.. perhaps we will never know until she is released.
According to this article her arrest was for probation violation, and she was under the influence in their opinion. Her bf Brandt was arrested for possession of heroin.
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Redding-Bike-Patrol-Busts-3-in-Drug-Related-Activities–505225091.html
Is anyone else cracking up over the fact that Sierra’s stepdad Mike was such a successful tattoo artist that he doesn’t know when to use “tattoos” vs. “tattoo’s”?
I just checked up on her as her episode was on A&E today. An update from two days ago by Roni says Sierra was doing well but she’s in jail now. The update shares her info for those who want to write to her. I feel so bad, I hope she gets the help she needs.
So sad
Her episode is on A&E right now so I got curious and saw this update on her page from just two days ago. So sad.
“ Roni here , Sierra got 3 years 🙁 which really well and truly sucks. Anyhow write to her she loves letters And SHE WAS CLEAN AND DOING GOOD THINGS. Ill update when i know more but ******** Redding Ca is where she is for now i gu3ss , IDK nobody has filled me in on anything and hoping to know more Monday .”
Sounds like Brandt wasn’t a great friend and just helped an addict to feed the addiction https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Redding-Bike-Patrol-Busts-3-in-Drug-Related-Activities–505225091.html
According to her Facebook, she’s 137 days sober.
Sierra is back on facebook. She recently talked about a genetic mutation she has and says she may be going blind.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=700568610412850&id=100013791515551
From meth to heroin, her future doesn’t look so good. This episode was so intense and heartbreaking.
Looks like her new drug is heroin. Poor girl.
June 28, 2019
She’s on Shasta county’s most wanted list.
Forgot to post the link.
https://news.reddingpolice.org/2019/06/shasta-county-most-wanted-june-28-2019/mw-sierra-rose-wilson/
Latest arrest in June 2019 Arrested For 1203.2(A) – Revocation Of Probation
466 – Possession Of Burglar’s Tools
496(A) – Receiving Or Concealing Stolen Property
11364(A) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, more on here https://www.localcrimenews.com/welcome/searchArrests?firstname=sierra&lastname=wilson&city=redding. She isn’t doing great!! Someone posted on Redding police on Facebook that she has 45 days clean.
I was happy to see that it said she stayed sober. As heavy on drugs as she was I just had to google her, unfortunately I saw she was arrested earlier this year along with Brandt. Brandt for possession and distribute and her for being under the influence. So sad, I hope she truly finds peace.
This picture was taken after they both claimed to be ‘clean.’ https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45241102_311295549472274_8769081908458946560_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.xx&oh=fea654f8895cadee9aa0f6f044d8b9eb&oe=5D991238
There’s absolutely no way that they weren’t using there.
I just watched the episode yesterday. As someone following the Carr Fire around Redding, I wanted to make sure that the are she lives in is okay. I have access to a confidential voter reg database so I can find her address (no, I would never ever share–don’t bother asking). Anyway, assuming she’s still at home, she’s far from danger and the fire is burning in the other direction now. Just thought some of you might be concerned.
Yeah she is fine.
Are she and Brandt clean? They are such a sweet couple, it would be great if they both got clean for good.
I felt like it was the wrong decision to let her go to treatment without checking into mental health first, even if it was involuntary. That girl had no business making decisions for herself at that point and I’m surprised there was no additional diagnosis. I hope whatever happened to her brain isnt permanent.