Intervention is about making choices.
Both Gabe and Vanessa chose wrong.
Gabe should have never dropped out of a PHD program. After all, he works now as a Medical Writer. Just because he decided to "Rap" his chemistry lessons does not promise a career in entertainment. Talk about a gamble passing on a PHD Program to try to be an entertainer. He came full circle the wrong way. We all makes mistakes but, we should be able to rebound from them. Gabe made perhaps one of the biggest mistakes I can recall.
I was shocked that Gabe would lie to his parents stating he had no money when in reality there was a secret bank account he withdrew $2000. A $10,000 relapse? Gabe is not like other gamblers because he is too young for his age. He might be on medication as he was considerably toned down after almost completing treatment. I can understand parents helping their child with treatment and rehab but not paying back their debts without being reimbursed. How could Gabe ever give the shirt off his back for offspring when he was thousands of dollars in debt? There was no shirt. His shirt was probably placed as a bet at a casino.
Vanessa left a cast spot on ER without other employment. She passed on income for no income. For the vast majority of people, we must all work having no income is reason enough to have panic attacks.
Between the two Vanessa should be able to make a come back. Vanessa is independent, experienced, and mature. Both Gabe and Vanessa both have a problem with how they spend money. Vanessa seems to realize the problem and outcome. Gabe only seems to care about the end result of being in debt. The act of spending really does not seem to phase Gabe. Gabe uses the excuse that by gambling a debt can be eliminated or money to be made if there is no debt to begin with. I agree that money spent in gambling can generate as much or more revenue in the end. The possibility of financial gain does exist as opposed to buying a sweater for example. Gabe relies on the law of averages how many times did he expect a face card to appear next? Gambling at casinos or playing the lottery has the possibility of one of the three outcomes financial gain, breaking even, or loss but no promise. Gable was dealt an exceptional hand in life that was played out wrong. That in itself is very sad.