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Usually, the return of a popular reality show is cause for excitement.

But every time a new season of Mama June: From Not to Hot is at hand, we get more than a little anxious.

The show remains as compelling as ever, of course, but it is not an easy one to watch.

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As you’re probably aware, the increasingly inaccurately titled series has nothing to do with the journey from notness to hotness, and everything to do with Mama June’s drug addiction.

Crack is the 41-year-old’s substance of choice, but at this point in her downward spiral, MJ will sample just about anything that’s on the table.

These days, her youngest daughter, Alana, is old enough to understand what’s going on, which has made the situation even more painful to observe.

Photo via Instagram

So it’s with great trepidation that we enter a new season of one of TV’s most harrowing series.

From Not to Hot is gearing up for another return to WeTV, and over the weekend, the network dropped a new trailer.

The glimpse of things to come was a brief one, but it confirmed that the series will "go there" yet again and offer an unflinching look at Mama June’s addiction and the impact that it’s had on her long-suffering family.

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"Why wasn’t you there in the moments I needed you most?" 15-year-old Alana tearfully asks her mother in one clip.

"Because I hit rock bottom," replies an equally sorrowful Mama June.

"You don’t know how many nights I cried myself to sleep," says Alana.

Photo via WEtv

"I know that I was selfish – everyone deserves a second chance. I just hope it’s not too late," her mother responds.

So the good news is that Mama June wants to remain sober — but wanting it and doing it are too very different things.

Of course, it hasn’t been all bad news from the Thompson/Shannon clan in recent years.

Photo via WeTV

At one point, Mama June was sober for 10 months, but her conversation with Honey Boo Boo seems to indicate a relapse.

Fortunately, the high school student is living with her older sister and managing to have a somewhat normal adolescence.

During a recent Instagram Q&A, we learned that Alana has a boyfriend!

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"Ask me anything you can think of!" the reality star said to her fans.

"You gotta boyfriend?" one follower asked.

"Yesssss!" an excited Alana promptly replied.

Photo via WEtv

Even more encouraging was Alana’s response to a question about her overall well-being.

"How is life?" one of her followers inquired.

"Honestly couldn’t be better," Alana replied.

And we suppose that’s why we continue watching Mama June’s reality series despite how difficult it is at times.

This is a family that’s been through an awful lot together, and we keep hoping for the happy ending they so richly deserve.

Will this be the season in which they finally come back together as a healthy family unit?

We don’t know — but it’s the hope that keeps us tuning in.