Addiction

MTV to Document Substance Abuse in New Reality Show

MTV will soon be added to the list of network channels that feature a show about drug and alcohol addiction. “Gone Too Far,” a one-hour series developed and hosted by Adam “DJ AM” Goldstein, will document people between the ages of 18 and 25 who are struggling with substance abuse.

One of the most sought-after DJs in the world, DJ AM is uniquely qualified to help young addicts because he is a long-time recovering drug addict who privately battled an addiction to crack cocaine for six years. DJ AM is mostly known for spinning at Hollywood events and clubs around the world, as well as for surviving a deadly plane crash in 2008. He now seeks to help others get off the deadly path of addiction.

Each episode of “Gone Too Far” will feature real addicts in crisis whose families are desperate to get them the help they need. DJ AM will meet with the addicts, friends, and families to explore their willingness to change. In unexpected twists, DJ AM often uncovers and reveals new information that even those closest to the addicts are unaware of. Finally, DJ AM brings everyone together in an intervention (led by a certified addiction specialist) to ask the addict to seek treatment.

If the addict accepts help, he or she is immediately escorted to some of the best rehab facilities in the country. DJ AM revisits the addicts to see how their rehabilitation is progressing, providing an honest look at their new sobriety.

“Substance abuse is an issue that our audience consistently struggles with and through his own battle with addiction, DJ AM knows first-hand the innate chaos drug dependency can inflict on addicts and their loved ones,” said Tony DiSanto, President of Programming for MTV.

“He’s an inspiration and amazing proof that it’s never too late to reverse the devastation. That type of positivity is something inherent to our viewers today and we’re not just documenting the journey to recovery, but also trying to change the lives of those we follow.”

DJ AM admitted that he struggled for years as a drug addict and was fortunate to get help when he asked for it. “I have managed to live a clean and sober life, something that takes work and something that I pride myself in. ‘Gone Too Far’ is my platform to help people, like I was helped, by giving back in a way.”

He continued, “The MTV audience was the perfect place for me to do this, as they are in the homes of so many who struggle and who may not know how to find the help they need. As much as I pray that each of the people that I’ve helped in each episode stay sober and get clean, I wanted the MTV audience to know that addiction is not something to take lightly. We wanted to show how real it gets and what can happen if you don’t get help.”

“Gone Too Far” is executive produced by Michael Hirschorn and Stella Stolper for Ish Entertainment (“T.I.’s Road to Redemption”), Cheryl Horner Sirulnick for Gigantic! Productions (“True Life: I’m Addicted to Crystal Meth” and “True Life: I’m Going to Rehab”), and Paul Rosenberg. Lawrence Vavra serves as Co-Executive Producer. Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley, Brent Haynes, and Amy Emmerich are the executives overseeing the series for MTV.