(A post from 2012)

Since hoarding is so closely intertwined with addictive behaviors, I wish that Hoarders would try to use the 1st step in Addiction Treatment for a season, instead of TV-friendly drama.

That step would be removal of the addiction immediately and cold turkey. Instead of a drug, the addiction in a Hoarder’s case is stuff.

A meth addict doesn’t get to go to rehab with his stash of meth. It’s taken from him and he is basically locked away for forced withdrawal.

It is disingenuous and illogical of the Hoarders shows to claim that even though Hoarders suffer from a psychological addiction, they should not be treated in the same way as chemical addicts are.

I want  to see a season of Hoarders wherein they use the XMove system. Instead of worrying about condemning the houses, removing the occupants, taking away the children and all the extraneous stuff, they should remove the Hoarder from the house. From there, the teams of helpers go in. If it is contaminated, throw it away, even if it is sentimental in nature. Otherwise, the team should preserve valuables that can be cleaned and made safe, photos and clothing. Everything else goes. Everything, no matter what it is. Family members and friends will be there to moderate the process. One person will be appointed to make all final decisions. All food will leave the house. Items that can be sold will be sold and the proceeds used toward cleanup and repair of the property.

The XMove system will shorten the cleanup by several multiples of time, be more safe, and allow the Hoarder to immediately begin treatment for his disorder, instead of allowing the drama of his or her behavior in denial being the focus. We will still have an interesting TV show – but not one that distorts the Hoarder’s dramatic denial and efforts to avoid change.

Removing the Hoarder from the house will make code inspections easier as well as allow family and friends to discuss how to move forward once the Hoarder returns from addiction therapy.

If a network wants to produce a show based on Hoarding psychology, it should pay for off-site residential therapy for the Hoarder. They can film and air footage of the Hoarder at rehab, talking to family, planning for the future, etc.

If the house is livable after cleanup, it should be made livable for when the Hoarder exits rehab. If it needs electricity, the production company should have to provide that if the family and friends won’t. If the residence isn’t livable, they need to have a place to live after rehab.

We want the Hoarder to be treated like our own family. If they need treatment, provide it. If we are going to be voyeurs into their lives, we must help them, not just make them a spectacle to be viewed and forgotten.
We want to see them a year after the treatment to see how effective it was and how the family is responding.