Not surprisingly, last night’s Teen Mom OG reunion focused largely on Ryan Edwards’ struggles with addiction.
If you watched the show this season, you know that Maci Bookout wanted Ryan to take a drug test before she would allow him to spend time alone with their son, Bentley.
And if you’re up on the latest reports about Ryan, you know that her fears were completely justified.
Last month, Ryan was arrested for a probation violation stemming charges of possession of heroin.
As we learned last night, Maci’s not saying “I told you so,” but she’s also not backing down from her assertion that Edwards is not fit to be a dad…
Facing the Music
The reunion was taped before many of the latest revelations about Ryan came to light. Still, it wasn’t an easy night for Maci’s baby daddy or for his long-suffering wife, Mackenzie Standifer.
What Maci Knew
Even before Ryan’s latest arrest, Bookout maintained that he was back on drugs. She insisted that he submit to testing as part of their custody agreement, but Edwards refused.
Where There’s Smoke
When Edwards refused to be tested. Maci concluded that he was still using. The past few weeks have sadly validated her claims.
Some Things Never Change…
On last night’s reunion show, Maci revealed to Dr. Drew Pinsky that she still believes Ryan is in no position to properly care for his son. Ryan basically confirmed as much in his own interview with Pinsky.
Reunion Ryan
Ryan spoke about his struggles with substance abuse, and even though he made it sound as though his addictions were well behind him, he also revealed that he’s putting very little effort into maintaining his sobriety.
A Troubling Revelation
Along with much of the audience, Pinsky was stunned by the revelation that Ryan has virtually lost contact with his therapist just months after leaving rehab. Dr. Drew was also shocked by the fact that Ryan blames the show for his inability to continue treatment.
Sufficient Support?
“I still talk to my therapist that was in treatment with me. I call him up every once and a while now, it used to be a lot more. It used to be a lot more,†Edwards said. “But I have Mackenzie, my mom and dad.â€Â
Red Flags
Sadly, Pinsky probably wasn’t terribly surprised by news that Edwards recently relapsed into addiction.
Lack of Follow-Up
In a rare moment of candor, Ryan admitted that he left treatment ahead of schedule and harbored serious doubts about his own ability to remain sober. “I didn’t know how I was going to get out and actually stay clean,†Ryan said at one point.
Fears For the Future
Clearly, Ryan shared some of Maci’s fears when he left treatment. Sadly, it wasn’t long before he lapsed back into addiction.
The Bad Blood Remains
Asked about Maci’s assessment of his situation, Ryan replied, “I wonder if she believes the lies she tells?â€Â
Dodging a Confrontation
Given the opportunity to confront Maci about her comments regarding his continued substance abuse, Ryan took the cowards’ way out…
An Unexpected Exit
“I’m not sitting out here with her,†Edwards told Pinsky before storming off stage.
Back For Round Two?
Many fans are hoping Ryan will finally hash things out with Maci in part two of the reunion special. Of course, the episode was taped several weeks ago, and Edwards has offered fans plenty of dramatic fireworks in the meantime.
Another Brush With the Law
Edwards was arrested last month in connection with a probation violation. He was on probation as a result of an April 2017 arrest for heroin possession. Ryan managed to keep that arrest a secret from both Maci and the public.
And That’s Not All…
That same week, it was revealed that for a second time, Edwards has been caught using the dating app Tinder to try and cheat on Mackenzie, who’s currently pregnant with his child.
A Troubling Picture
Needless to say, there’s serious cause for concern. Edwards seems to be spiraling out of control once again, and this time, the stakes are higher than ever.
Last-Ditch Effort?
Many fans suspected that the reunion special would essentially serve as an intervention for Ryan. There’s only one problem…
The Situaton Has Changed
At the time, no one realized quite how severely Ryan’s situation has deteriorated. These days, Ryan has found a new rock bottom. Here’s hoping he’s able to find the help he needs before it’s too late.