THE ENABLERS
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Year Published: 1980s
Creator: johnson-institute-averill-m-kronick
Description: Presented by the Johnson Institute and produced and directed by Averill M. Kronick, "The Enablers" (1980s) is a drama showing the struggles of a family dealing with a mother's alcoholism. The Johnson Institute was founded by Dr. Vernon Johnson who developed the Johnson Model of intervention. An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one or many people – usually family and friends – to get someone to seek professional help with a substance use disorder. The Johnson Model focuses on creating a confrontation between a group of supporters and the addict in order to expose the addict to the consequences of their addiction. The confrontation serves to precipitate a crisis in the addict's life that is not threatening, damaging, or fatal, and is used to compel them into treatment before they are able to suffer irreparable social or physical damage as a result of their disease. In this dramatized film, the husband/father reflects on his instinct to protect his wife, which only worsens the situation. Their son, Brian, exhibits concerning behavior, and their daughter, Kim, confronts the father about the mother's drinking. Despite promises to ease up, the mother's drinking continues to cause tension and disruption, particularly during social gatherings and family events. The father tries to manage the situation and maintain normalcy, but the ongoing cycle of enabling behavior takes a toll on him. Ultimately, he realizes that seeking help is necessary, as the burden of the mother's alcoholism affects the entire family. The film stars Wayne Evenson, Barbara Granning, Shirley Kane, Frederick Livesay, Marilyn Murphy, Dolores Noah, James Noah, Steve Pringle, Clive Rosengreen, Mary Robin Roth, Kathy Thornton and Emily Tillman. It was written by Jack Maloney. 00:00: The narrator / husband /father reflects on the instinct to protect loved ones, describing the turmoil in his family due to his wife's drinking. Efforts to protect her only worsened the situation. 1:24 - 1:58: A scene where the narrator's son, Brian, is found hurt, leading to a tense family interaction. Brian's behavior is concerning, and the narrator's wife, Jan, is mentioned. 2:27 - 2:40: The narrator acknowledges that ignoring the real problem allowed them to continue as they had for years. 2:42 - 3:08: Jan's drinking is downplayed during a social gathering, with the narrator trying to maintain normalcy. 3:37 - 4:09: The narrator reflects on his long-term efforts to manage Jan's drinking and the toll it takes on him. 5:08 - 6:05: The narrator's daughter, Kim, confronts him about Jan's alcoholism, expressing her frustration and concern. 6:10 - 7:10: The narrator reassures Kim, emphasizing Jan's good qualities and the pressures she faces, while Kim remains skeptical. 7:30 - 8:10: Jan promises to ease up on drinking, citing reduced work pressure, but the narrator remains doubtful. 9:33 - 10:04: The narrator's colleague notices his declining performance, and he reassures them about his health. 10:57 - 11:32: The narrator checks on Jan's plans for the day, ensuring she is taken care of for her birthday. 12:19 - 12:32: Jan celebrates her birthday at work, but concerns about her drinking persist. 13:00 - 13:16: Jan's colleagues notice her declining health, and she is offered a ride home. 14:03 - 14:23: The narrator tries to manage the party preparations, hoping to make things easier for Jan. 15:39 - 16:23: The narrator's daughter, Kim, arrives at the party, and tensions rise as Jan's drinking becomes evident. 17:02 - 18:00: A heated argument erupts between Jan and Kim, highlighting the family's struggles with Jan's alcoholism. 18:19 - 18:39: The narrator feels helpless as Jan's drinking disrupts the birthday celebration. 19:01 - 19:59: The narrator covers for Jan's absence at work, reflecting on the ongoing cycle of enabling her behavior. 20:08 - 21:01: The narrator decides to seek help, realizing that Jan's alcoholism is a burden shared by the entire family.
Complete Record: Presented by the Johnson Institute and produced and directed by Averill M. Kronick, "The Enablers" (1980s) is a drama showing the struggles of a family dealing with a mother's alcoholism. The Johnson Institute was founded by Dr. Vernon Johnson who developed the Johnson Model of intervention. An intervention is an orchestrated attempt by one or many people – usually family and friends – to get someone to seek professional help with a substance use disorder. The Johnson Model focuses on creating a confrontation between a group of supporters and the addict in order to expose the addict to the consequences of their addiction. The confrontation serves to precipitate a crisis in the addict's life that is not threatening, damaging, or fatal, and is used to compel them into treatment before they are able to suffer irreparable social or physical damage as a result of their disease. In this dramatized film, the husband/father reflects on his instinct to protect his wife, which only worsens the situation. Their son, Brian, exhibits concerning behavior, and their daughter, Kim, confronts the father about the mother's drinking. Despite promises to ease up, the mother's drinking continues to cause tension and disruption, particularly during social gatherings and family events. The father tries to manage the situation and maintain normalcy, but the ongoing cycle of enabling behavior takes a toll on him. Ultimately, he realizes that seeking help is necessary, as the burden of the mother's alcoholism affects the entire family. The film stars Wayne Evenson, Barbara Granning, Shirley Kane, Frederick Livesay, Marilyn Murphy, Dolores Noah, James Noah, Steve Pringle, Clive Rosengreen, Mary Robin Roth, Kathy Thornton and Emily Tillman. It was written by Jack Maloney. 00:00: The narrator / husband /father reflects on the instinct to protect loved ones, describing the turmoil in his family due to his wife's drinking. Efforts to protect her only worsened the situation. 1:24 - 1:58: A scene where the narrator's son, Brian, is found hurt, leading to a tense family interaction. Brian's behavior is concerning, and the narrator's wife, Jan, is mentioned. 2:27 - 2:40: The narrator acknowledges that ignoring the real problem allowed them to continue as they had for years. 2:42 - 3:08: Jan's drinking is downplayed during a social gathering, with the narrator trying to maintain normalcy. 3:37 - 4:09: The narrator reflects on his long-term efforts to manage Jan's drinking and the toll it takes on him. 5:08 - 6:05: The narrator's daughter, Kim, confronts him about Jan's alcoholism, expressing her frustration and concern. 6:10 - 7:10: The narrator reassures Kim, emphasizing Jan's good qualities and the pressures she faces, while Kim remains skeptical. 7:30 - 8:10: Jan promises to ease up on drinking, citing reduced work pressure, but the narrator remains doubtful. 9:33 - 10:04: The narrator's colleague notices his declining performance, and he reassures them about his health. 10:57 - 11:32: The narrator checks on Jan's plans for the day, ensuring she is taken care of for her birthday. 12:19 - 12:32: Jan celebrates her birthday at work, but concerns about her drinking persist. 13:00 - 13:16: Jan's colleagues notice her declining health, and she is offered a ride home. 14:03 - 14:23: The narrator tries to manage the party preparations, hoping to make things easier for Jan. 15:39 - 16:23: The narrator's daughter, Kim, arrives at the party, and tensions rise as Jan's drinking becomes evident. 17:02 - 18:00: A heated argument erupts between Jan and Kim, highlighting the family's struggles with Jan's alcoholism. 18:19 - 18:39: The narrator feels helpless as Jan's drinking disrupts the birthday celebration. 19:01 - 19:59: The narrator covers for Jan's absence at work, reflecting on the ongoing cycle of enabling her behavior. 20:08 - 21:01: The narrator decides to seek help, realizing that Jan's alcoholism is a burden shared by the entire family.
Transcription
[Music] there's something in all of us maybe an instinct that makes us try to protect the ones we love from being hurt during those bad times there was a lot of hurting going on in my family and and a lot of protecting because even then I think there was love left but we were all caught up in the Topsy Turvy world of my wife's drinking it seemed that everything we tried to do to protect her from the consequences just made things worse for all of us and what we were doing out of love for Jan just enabled her to drink more [Music] well he won't tell me I I found him down at the park like this what happened Brian are you hurt I'm okay well you're not okay I want to know what's going on here I said I'm okay honestly Brian is that the best you can do is that the best you can do okay go to your room go on Brian honestly Howe I don't know what I'm going to do with that boy what's getting into him anyhow he's turning into some kind of I don't know maybe had a fight with some of those kids at the field he's getting Moody all the time he doesn't have any friends he's just you'll get over it hey you know we have to be over Dean Jims in a few minutes so Mak you think maybe you better get ready oh yeah I guess so hey uh give me 10 minutes I got a hair and you a Brian had almost brought to the surface something I didn't like pushing it under again enabled us to ignore the real problem so Jan and I could keep going as we had for years hi something bur where you taste it you're just thank you there you are Heavenly oh don't complain it's just what the doctor ordered well here's to the doctor here's to the big four oh no no wait she's got till Monday never Jack Benny was 39 forever well then 39 forever well drink to that one come on so I can make a fresh us I take it easy she's not as young as she used to be well I'm not dead yet buddy better have some fun Howard after all it might be the last chance before old age sets in Hey listen I've got a big party coming up Monday did you know your party started this afteron and I think it's well it's not over yet actually who El was coming Monday night oh and he says but first I'll fix the brakes on the truck oh we really have to go it's been a yeah it's been a long day we got we got a lot to do tomorrow come on I want to thank you for a lovely evening thanks for coming come on and I want to thank you for a lovely evening how sure CH now you rested up for that birthday party was a lovely lovely oh yeah we have to go thanks again good night good night hey forget something thanks thanks D say listen um Jan wasn't feeling too okay it's okay it happens no really I hope no it's okay hey you take care now I'll see you Monday morning okay see you yeah good night good night good night take care he said I've been taking care of Jan a long time cutting her off remembering her purse steering her home and tucking her in covering her tracks because I didn't want anyone to think she was a lush or that I was the husband of a lush I didn't know how to stop it or why it happened night after night what was I doing wrong all I could do was keep trying to hold things together and while I kept trying Jan kept drinking good morning Kim morning Dad thought I'd stop by pure how's Jessica see for yourself there's not much hair yet you sure she's a girl believe me she's a girl I changed the diaper where's Mom oh she's uh not dressed yet I guess I suppose she's that way as usual well we just had a little uh get together de and Jim last night sort of a pre-birthday thing she'll be all right you coming to the party tomorrow night aren't you not if she's going to make another scene I'm not come on I was embarrassed dad for her and you the way she stagered around your mother wasn't feeling well that's aome she was drunk dad she's drunk half the time can't you see Daddy she's an alcoholic she's your mother my wife and you just just Kim you just don't know her she's not been feeling well for a while I hate to see you go through this again and again Dad it never gets any better that's unfair she she has good days and then bad like anyone she she still does a great job at work they gave her a raise again last month you know Dad she's under a lot of pressure there here too she worries a lot about you and Jeff and the baby Brian the doctor's given her a prescription for her nerves she she'll be better again soon I know she will I'm sorry there I didn't mean to acet you it's just that I'm scared for Mama I don't know what to do what just give her a chance baby that's all you don't know your mother like I do give her a chance I'd come to the birthday party tomorrow night she wants you to does she oh she asked again last night it means a lot to her she just wants to show off her granddaughter you come then she'll be fine you'll see I'll get her to promise I got to go Dad bye-bye so what about Kim well she she wants to come Jan but she's um concerned about what oh about what happened at Jeff's folks dinner oh honestly that girl blows everything out of all proportion oh she's just you know you would really think it was a federal case to say anything to her in-laws she's concerned about your drinking Jan so am I well there's nothing to worry about anymore well how you know how things have been at the office I've been under a lot of pressure but they are easing up and well now that I'm about to be a mature lady I'm going to ease up on everything and that includes my Refreshments we've tried before I know how I know but I've really been doing a lot of thinking about it and it seems to me that this is a good time to start over I can do it I know you can sweetheart I'll help you you're going to get awfully bored living with a straight laced old lady I've never been bored with this old lady hey want some toast yeah maybe this time I thought maybe with love and faith I could help get her back to normal but what was normal even when my hopes were highest the suspicion was still there anything you want to talk about hoe huh is there anything uh bothering you uh no not really why well you've been kind of sliding for a while now um I thought maybe there was something oh no just that U I had a a few health problems issue you know nothing really serious just uh little things you missed a lot of time yeah I know I've been feeling a lot better lately things are big to clear up really well I hope you're right you're going to miss a convention if you don't get your points up this quarter yeah well I'm working on it Don I still got a shot at it well let's pull up and have some coffee huh yeah okay Hey listen I promis to call a guy in a reorder before 10: it'll just take a minute okay all right [Music] Maloney Manufacturing good morning extension 208 please one moment research Mary delar Mary this is Howard is Jan there sure Howard else would you no no no wait wait a minute I just um I just wanted to check and see if you're all set for the party tonight oh well sure of course and I want to make sure you take care of good care of my birthday girl today we sure are we're taking her to the golden door for lunch that's great I I sure hope you get her there in good shape tonight sure Howard she'll be fine I'll take good care of her oh great see you at 7:30 right bye now how's it going oh well let's see one two 3 four five and we should have finished the whole bat I think you'll be done before lunch ah I sure hope so I am ready for some relaxation oh Mary was was a tough weekend now I've Got Tonight coming up and well you just take it easy today it's your time in life oh thanks the bunch just call me moms right moms I made reservations at the golden door for 12:30 so don't be late well you know how much I like him in the first place so then you can tell Miss Dunbar that the title is going to remain chairman are we ready to eat I don't I'm celebrating my double 20th birthday I think I'm going to make it a double oh Cheers Cheers lady thank you girl card we better take it easy with that new program they've got personnels hunting everywhere for Laton alcoholics you think maybe they have a quota to fil oh no is it John happy birthday dear J happy birthday to you I must be getting old running out of breath like an old woman too much to eat did you drive this morning M took the bus come on I'll drop you off at home you finished with that job anyway so you might as well take the rest of the day off and enjoy your birthday come on J I'll cover for you never mind just get the table set will you and hurry up we haven't got a lot of time what's all the noise about I why don't you go ahead and get dressed for the party it's your birthday I'll take care of everything listen H why don't you have a cup of coffee huh because I don't want coffee well don't get too much of a head start I wonder what time Kim and Jeff will be here with a baby for the hundredth time Jan's promise to go easy evaporated like a dream I'd taken on all the party chores hoping to make things easier for her and of course in a way I did come on in oh there's the birthday girl today's the day you don't look a day over 29 liar I love you enough enough these older women are dangerous hold on I am going to bring something that will quench the flames [Applause] [Music] you you do the honors and I'm going to do the kitchen right this is his Grine wi almost grown ups Le the kid brother thanks for coming baby oh dad you know I wouldn't miss your birthday what I got where grandpa I don't [Music] know like party have see Jan when she was born a [Music] have you seen Jan no never done anything around this house I wouldn't have to have that sure that's right that's right blame me I'm always the one there it is yourself it's what you think about all the time yourself yourself yourself I was the one that had to work for you I had to care for you care you were drunk all the time I was growing up come on cam you were you are you're drunk right now sh listen no you listen mom I didn't even want to come here Dad said you'd be all right but I knew it I knew it I knew it I don't care let them here everybody knows you're not trying to fool anybody anymore all right get out you're good at running out aren't you well just get out of my house we're leaving come [Applause] on hello happy birthday to you m happy birthday to you happy birthday dear J Happ birday to Honey not again not on birthday of my girl birthday Howard I couldn't take care of my own wife I tried and tried again but always failed I didn't know why but I knew I was close to the end of the L mine early class today mhm you got uh baseball after school [Applause] mhm beautiful day mhm good morning extension 208 please researchy Mary this is Howard I um I just wanted to call you about last night a listen don't worry um really sorry it worked out the way it did it's okay it happened listen Mar would you tell Mr Schwarz that uh Jan's got a touch of the flu and uh won't be in today um sure oh she's just running a little fever it's nothing serious she'll she'll probably be okay for tomorrow yeah I'll yeah thanks Mary bye covering up closing our eyes talking in circles when did it start where does it end and who does it help not us not Jan I couldn't go it alone anymore but I couldn't give up either so I did what I could 28 please Mar this is Howard again I wonder if we could really talk about Jan's drinking problem I began to realize that Jan's alcoholism was a load that each of us who loved her was suffering under and trying to carry Al loone maybe if we shared it something could be done sure yeah I know where it is what time good that's great e
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