Season 11 Episode 3
Richard
Age: 34
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Addiction: Meth
What’s memorable: The pain and abuse he suffered as a child, how delusional he is about how meth is affecting his life and what he thinks it does for him, the non-intervention, the icky and sad predilection toward incest-themed sexual encounters. “I’ve been anticipating the desires of adult males since I was 5 years old.” – Richard.
Official Synopsis: A 34-year-old gay man, Richard grew up knowing he was different and never feeling accepted. His stepfather disciplined him severely for his effeminate behavior. Today, Richard lives in subsidized housing and has done everything from dealing to prostituting himself to support his meth addiction. Richard’s family will have to make amends to him if they hope to get through to him.
Original Air Date: January 2012
Interventionist: Candy
I had the privilege of interviewing Richard today for my YouTube channel and we talked in-depth about his episode as well as what he has been up to since the show! Check out the full interview here:
https://youtu.be/P-YjrKXa4Y4?si=t6Y_v_3ugS7yxNiN
Thank you so much for dropping the link to your interview with Richard! As you can probably tell, there are A LOT of people that are THRILLED that Richard is doing well now! I look forward to watching the interview.
I posted this comment too early…right before they explain he was tragically molested as a child for many years. I mentioned his trauma was preventable because I thought it was only about him being gay. Obviously what I said was wrong. I wish Richard all the support and healing. He’s just the type of person I would love to have in my life.
Well not being accepted definitely didn’t help matters you must admit.
People who cannot accept their children being gay are some of the worst people out there. If you cannot accept whoever your child chooses to be don’t be a parent. All the abuse and trauma he experienced was 1000% preventable if people weren’t so closed minded. It hurts my heart, there are so many awful things in this world. Richard as a beautiful child who seemed to light up rooms was constantly brutalized for simply being different. His family is lucky to have him, and his parents or his brother Peter do not deserve him. Love your kids NO MATTER who they turn out to be. Being gay is not a bad thing. May future children grow up in a world that can be more accepting.
Watching this episode for the 2nd or 3rd time and just had to say… (this is a joke but oddly still true)
I’m a pretty masculine lesbian born in ’90 who grew up in Texas and Oklahoma with an EXTREMELY religious(and physically and psychologically abusive mom. Also other random fun (horrible) events I endured throught my childhood, teen years and early 20s. Of course I ended up an addict.
Anyways, the masculine lesbian side of me just instantly wanted to just protect him and keep the evil homophobes away. I’ve had a few gay friends that I’ve protected and supported through the years..
sorry for the unnecessary info I just felt like I needed to say that