Ep 6. Austin

Austin is the focus of the sixth episode of season 17 of the hit show Intervention. The episode follows Austin, a high school student from Arizona whose life has been consumed by addiction to methamphetamine and heroin. Now 18 years old, Austin's drug use has led him to drop out of school, lose his job, and become a transient, bouncing from place to place.

The episode kicks off with a look at Austin's childhood, which was characterized by instability and trauma. Austin's mother struggled with addiction herself and spent time in and out of jail, leaving Austin to be raised by his grandmother. Despite her best efforts, Austin's grandmother was unable to shield him from the effects of addiction and instability, and Austin turned to drugs as a coping mechanism.

As the episode progresses, we see Austin struggling to maintain even a semblance of a normal life. He talks about how lying, stealing, and manipulating became second nature to him in order to fund his habit, and how he has lost countless friends to overdose. We also meet Austin's family, who are understandably distraught over his addiction. His grandmother, in particular, is hesitant to participate in the intervention, fearing that it will upset Austin and lead him further down the path of self-destruction.

Despite these concerns, the intervention goes ahead as planned. Led by interventionist Ken Seeley, Austin's family and friends confront him about his addiction and the harm it has caused. There are tense moments as Austin initially denies the severity of his problem, but eventually he breaks down in tears and agrees to seek help.

The second half of the episode follows Austin's journey through rehab, and it's not an easy one. He struggles with cravings, experiences severe withdrawal symptoms, and has to confront the emotional issues that led him to drugs in the first place. However, with the support of his family and the other residents of the facility, he begins to make progress. We see him start to open up about his feelings and develop the tools to cope with them in healthy ways.

Towards the end of the episode, there is a heartwarming moment where Austin's grandmother visits him in rehab. She tells him how proud she is of him and how much she loves him, and they share an emotional embrace. It's clear that while there is still a long road ahead, Austin is on the right track.

Overall, this episode of Intervention is a powerful and emotional look at the devastating impact of addiction on young people. While it's heart-wrenching to see Austin's struggles, it's also inspiring to watch him take the first steps towards recovery and a brighter future. As always, the show serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking help when struggling with addiction, and the importance of support and love from friends and family.