Overview of Two Addicts (01:39)FREE PREVIEW

Dawn and Fabian are meth addicts. They have agreed to be in a documentary about addiction. Millions of Americans struggle with addiction. Most need help to stop.

Dawn--Meth Addict (02:29)

Dawn has two sons aged 19 and 23. She is a meth addict and has been injecting meth for 10 years. She is homeless. When she uses meth, she is paranoid and has hallucinations. Meth can cause psychotic behavior.

Adult Meth Addict/Childhood Trauma (02:08)

Dawn, an adult meth addict, had a mother who was institutionalized and an alcoholic father. At 11, her father died. At 12 she was raped. At 18 she went to Francisco to pursue a modeling. At 22 she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.

Homeless Mother/Meth Addict (03:14)

Dawn was an affectionate mother to her two boys. She wanted to party and took drugs. She and her husband grew apart. Within a year of the divorce, she was homeless. Two years later, her ex-husband got custody of the boys.

Fabian-- Meth and Alcohol Addict (02:39)

Fabian, 37, is "all about creativity." He is also addicted to alcohol and meth. He has been addicted to meth for 6 years. He also drinks a liter of alcohol every day.

Childhood Trauma (03:06)

Fabian's mother had 8 miscarriages, and three live birth, Fabian and two sisters. She may have been delusional. She beat her children severely and threatened to kill them.

High Living/Living High (04:23)

In his teens, Fabian smoked dope and drank alcohol. He went to Los Angeles where he promoted shows and managed bands at age 22. He sank into a depression and chemical abuse escalated. He produces nothing in his life.

Anguish of Addict's Sons (03:53)

Several hours prior to filming, Dawn injected meth. The high can last up to 16 hours. She lives in abandoned houses. Both of her sons express their pain. It would be easier to have no mother than to have Dawn as a mother.

Incoherent Mother (03:05)

Dawn's son is trying to convince the landlord to let Dawn stay in the house until the intervention. Dawn is incoherent, and her sons feel that they are watching her kill herself.

Money for Drugs (01:56)

Fabian calls his girlfriend for money. She gives him meth and money for alcohol. His sister believes he is at a turning point: either live or die.

Pre-Intervention (01:54)

Fabian's interventionist explains how crystal meth affects Fabian's behavior. Dawn's interventionist talks to her sons about the intervention.

Intervention--Fabian (03:22)

When Fabian sees his family gathered together, he leaves. He returns and hears his mother's letter.

Intervention--Dawn (03:39)

Dawn's sons plead with their mother to get treatment. She refuses and then laughs. After more encouragement, she agrees to get treatment.

Fabian Accepts Treatment (02:35)

Fabian's sister reads her letter, and it moves him to tears. He demands a drink. His family agrees to pay his rent, and he agrees to get treatment.

Treatment Centers (02:33)

Dawn's family gives her a loving and tearful good-bye. She is going to Bay Recovery Centers in San Diego. Fabian is going to Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches in Lake Worth, FL.

Follow-Up on Treatment & Credits (01:32)

Dawn has been sober for 2 months. She is grateful for her sons' love that "forced" her to get treatment. Fabian was thrown out of treatment after 33 days for making homemade wine. He continues to us

Question:

Pickoneof the individuals from the video (either Dawn or Fabian) and discuss elements on their path contributing to the progression of this disease (contributing factors, family, trauma, etc.) as well as the protective factors they contribute; discuss the family response(s); and the overall effectiveness of the intervention that you witnessed (regardless of what the individual with the disease ultimately did or did not do).