The Steve Wilkos Show Season 2 Episode 5 Heroin Mom Lives in Van
- September 19, 2008
- 41 min
The Steve Wilkos Show season 2 episode 5 is titled "Heroin Mom Lives in Van." In this episode, the viewers are introduced to Christina, a young woman who has been addicted to heroin for several years. Christina was once a loving mother to her son, but her addiction has caused her to neglect her responsibilities as a parent. As a result, her son now lives with Christina's mother.
The audience learns that Christina has hit rock bottom - she is homeless and living in a van. Christina's sister and brother-in-law, who have been trying to help her get sober, have brought her on to the show in an attempt to get her the support she needs. Steve Wilkos, the host of the show, invites Christina's family to the stage to discuss the situation.
It quickly becomes clear that Christina's addiction has caused a lot of pain within the family. Her sister tearfully explains the toll that Christina's behavior has taken on her own children, who have witnessed their aunt's drug use. Christina's mother is visibly emotional as she discusses the hurt she feels about not being able to take care of her grandson full-time.
Steve Wilkos then brings Christina onto the stage to confront her behavior. At first, Christina seems resistant to change, insisting that her addiction is a disease that she cannot control. Steve is empathetic to her plight but doesn't let her get away with excuses. He challenges her to take responsibility for her actions and seek help.
The second half of the episode focuses on Christina's journey to sobriety. The Steve Wilkos Show team has arranged for Christina to enter a rehabilitation program immediately after filming wraps. The audience sees Christina make the difficult decision to leave her lifestyle behind and commit to getting clean.
The final segment of the episode features an update on Christina's progress. Several weeks later, Steve welcomes Christina back to the show to see how she's doing. Christina is nearly unrecognizable - she looks healthier and happier than she has in years. Her family joins her on stage, and they share how proud they are of Christina's progress.
Overall, "Heroin Mom Lives in Van" is a powerful episode that explores the impact of addiction on families. While the subject matter is heavy, Steve Wilkos manages to strike a compassionate tone throughout. The episode demonstrates that with the right support, people struggling with addiction can turn their lives around.