Addiction is an all-consuming and ugly disease. Whether it is to drugs, alcohol, porn, food - whatever - addiction destroys the life of the individual with the disorder, and also the lives of those closest to them.
Families and loved ones can often feel like they are fighting a losing battle when attempting to, for want of a better word, save those with an addiction. Relationships become strained and irreparable, as the addict ultimately appears to choose to destroy their own life, rather than choose to accept the help.
But addiction is not a choice, it is an illness, and those with the worst addictions often need professional help in order to finally conquer their demons. One show in Britain that can offer such help is The Jeremy Kyle Show, which has helped many guests overcome addiction by sending them to a rehabilitation facility - often without warning.
(For those of you who are unaware, The Jeremy Kyle Show is the UK's version of Jerry Springer, only with no Steve Wilkos and more decency.)
In a segment entitled, 'Crack, heroin and sleeping in car parks – save my daughter', viewers were introduced to Dominique, a mom desperate for the show to save her daughter, Kristie, from her destructive drug addiction.
To hear this family's tragic story, check out the video below:
Surrounded by her family, Dominique informed host Jeremy Kyle how, in order to fund her addiction to heroin and crack, her daughter Kristie had stolen from her family and had even possibly prostituted herself.
The show was the last resort for the family, as Kristie was repeatedly informed how her mental and physical health were quickly suffering. Fortunately, Jeremy informed her that they were sending her to rehab for three months (paid for by the show).
Fast forward what must have been a very long three months for those involved and Kristie was out of rehab and back on the show to be reunited with her family - and she looked incredible!
Check out Kristie's stunning transformation in the video below:
Quite frankly, in just three months, Kristie's transformation is somewhat of a miracle. She literally looks like a completely different person - healthy and happy.
Talking candidly about her first night in rehab, Kristie said: "My first night in rehab was really difficult because I had to go through a withdrawal process, so I had to go as long as possible through a detox before I could be stable on my medication."
Many viewers took to Twitter to express their shock and delight at seeing "the new" Kristie following her time in rehab:
And following the broadcast, the show's official Twitter page also tweeted the following update on Kristie:
Speaking about her addiction, Kristie told Jeremy and the audience:
"I know at one point I didn’t feel very positive and I was really poorly, but now I’ve stabilized and on my medication it’s a totally different story.
"It’s been tough, but my head’s in the right place, I’m in the right place and I’ve got a really good support network.
"I have looked at the consequences of the havoc that I’ve made and my behavior was appalling, Jeremy, it doesn’t matter how you look at it."
Well done to Kristie for overcoming her awful addiction and to her family for not giving up on her. And finally, huge respect to the show for helping a desperate family save somebody they love. It just goes to show that there is light at the end of even the darkest tunnels.
