Season 16, Episode 13
Robert (Robbie)
Age: 28
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Addiction: GHB, Meth
What’s Memorable: This one is absolutely heartbreaking and it’s one of the most moving and uplifting episodes of Intervention ever. The family dynamics of the 3 adult children here are clearly the fault of neglectful and absent family members. I think that’s what Andrew was getting at during the Intervention – yeah mom was the huge fuck up who did everything exactly wrong but where was everyone else? There were 3 kids here that needed family and no one was there for them. The sisters had to parent their little brother, feel helpless when he wanted to stay with the mom who sold him off, had to see him being horribly abused, and weren’t able do anything about any of it. As adults, with all those guilt issues weighing on them, they are trying to reconnect and do something to help him in his pain. The dinner they all had together -you could feel Robbie’s sense of being out of place, of wanting to be able to talk to his sisters but not having the tools to say anything meaningful, despite how he may have felt about being with them again. The intervention was one of the best I’ve seen. Andrew rocked it, and the followup was amazing. Dammit I love this episode.
Official Synopsis: Sweet, adorable and with a shock of blond hair, young Robbie was doted on by his two older sisters, Cara and Kristy. The trio were inseparable. Even as their home life descended into chaos when their mother turned to drugs and prostitution, the three siblings took care of each other. When the situation got worse and they were sent to foster care, they still stuck together. But eventually 11-year-old Robbie would separate from his sisters, escaping foster care to search for his wayward mother. He found her, only to follow her down a heart-breaking path of destructive drug use. Now 28, Robbie’s sisters unite to see if there’s any chance of saving their little brother and becoming a family again.
Date Aired: January 2017
Interventionist: Andrew
I truly thought his case would be a story of relapse and more pain. I am so inspired by his recovery and his apparent continued recovery is mind blowing. RECOVERY CAN HAPPEN! He looked like my sick daughter who is end-stage AUD and I thought “there is no way that meth head is coming back,” and OMG was i wrong. Gives me hope when most days there is none.
If your ex wife has full custody of the kids and she loses her damn mind and goes missing on a crack binge, wouldn’t a family court rather give the children to their father than place them in foster homes? There’s more to this story I’m sure – saddest story I’ve seen to date!
oh I have no uncontained shame for that deadbeat dad ! Something was off. With grandma too, very shallow affect.
I just rewatched this episode. I’ve seen just about every episode of this program, but Robbie’s story stands out. What a genuinely pure soul for everything he had to endure. I hope he is doing well, and I hope his family is, too.
What is wrong with you? Robbie is alive and thriving. Why would you say something so horrible?
I would love to talk to Robs sisters to see how about they went about this. intervention. The sister he worked with showed so much love, that’s what got me right in my heart. She is an absolutely amazing sister and probably the best roll model, I would love to have her direct me on how to help get my sister out of he funk. it’s been going on too long, and all I think about is the love that she had for her brother.it was the most amazing feeling when she sent back to see Rob, tears down both cheeks. Just amazing
Robbie should definitely be in the most likeable category! Despite all the abuse he suffered he was sweet and kind hearted throughout the episode! You could tell he is a genuine guy! I recently checked his social media and he looks incredible!! You wouldnt think its the same guy from the episode!! Married in 2023 and looks to be thriving! Whoa so very happy for him and his two sisters! They were so loving and never gave up on him! I wish them all the very best! Yay Robbie! 🙏
Yeah, I agree. Robbie is absolutely one of the most likeable addicts I’ve seen on this show.
Just checked his Insta and he’s married with six years sober. His sisters were at his wedding. Him and his siblings were incredible given all they went through
Omg his Facebook…I love him so much. What an incredible story. He said in his post about being 5 years sober that 5 years ago he “made the best decision” of his life…just like Andrew said at the intervention! 💘
Robbie really caught my eye on how caring and sweet he is as a person. Honestly could see the beauty of his soul from out his eyes. I really hope he continues to smile because that smile of his is contagious.
This was an amazing episode it made me cry and so angry at times I couldn’t believe what his mother did to him an absolute sick sick woman to do this to her precious man he had been through so much because of the horrors he went through he is so strong and so full of courage may god bless him with a wonderful sober life full of LOVE and HAPPINESS
Online said Sept 2nd 2021 he celebrated 5 years! You go man!
His story is so much like mine. Watching his episode made my heart hurt so much because I know the hole he was in and how it is so very hard to cope with all that trauma. It gives me hope to see her made it to recovery. He is such a strong, sweet soul.
Robbie’s story is one that I will never forget. What an inspiring man. As of February 13th, 2022, he is engaged and 5+ years sober!! GO ROBBIE!! <3