Season 16, Episode 1
Jennifer
Age: 35
Location: Southern Ontario
Addiction: Anorexia, painkillers
What’s Memorable: I have to say, this one really disgusted me. The way she has normalized shooting up as a regular part of her young childrens’ daily lives is really troubling to me. Not only does she inject many times a day right in front of them, with them actually sitting next to her asking her questions as she does it, she also leaves the needles lying around on the table and the floor where they’re easily accessible to her kids. I sympathize with Jennifer’s addiction but I cannot sympathize with the level of selfishness and neglect it takes to do that to your kids. And while I also sympathize with her husband, I don’t understand why he can’t at least pick the needles up off the floor or suggest that maybe she go into another room. Ugh, it just all really sickened me. This was some of the most irresponsible, dangerous parenting I’ve ever witnessed. If she couldn’t get clean after treatment, I’m at least relieved to find out that she’s no longer living with her children.
Official Synopsis: A young mother’s eating disorder has been a life-long affliction, now compounded by drug and sex addiction–but to get rid of all of her demons she’ll have to eliminate more than just her food. (Canadian produced.)
Date Aired: November 2016
Interventionist: Maureen
The the daughter says : my dad died a year after this. we were taken away like two months after this was shot. after he died my grandma took us in. in 2020 she lost her arm due to the drugs. she’s been clean 3 years now and i’m so proud of her. From YouTube
As someone commented above, it looks like she did have her arm amputated somewhat recently. I saw photos of her posted (posted July 2025) on the social media page of a coffee shop who employs disabled individuals. Looks like she was employed there at that time. God bless her poor children
This was, by far, one of the most disturbing episodes I have seen with the blatant use in front of her children. And the abnormal disordered eating in front of them also. How could anyone think about how badly she is messing those children up and they literally won’t ever have a chance. I do pray I am wrong. I hope they’re okay now as this was, like 8 years ago.
I meant, how could anyone NOT* think about how badly the kids will be scarred.
Jennifer is not equipped to be a parent using or sober. She has zero maternal instincts and seems to revel in being the sickest person in the room.
This is the most messed up episode I’ve ever seen!
Why hadn’t anyone called child services way before this!?? Jesus…those poor poor babies
according to some youtube comments i read she had to get her arm amputated……
This was brutal to watch. I sympathize with addicts but she was awful to subject her kids to her constantly shooting up and chewing and spitting food. Just really disgusting. I hope those kids are far away from their mother and truly healing.