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Stephen Addison isn’t spending Thanksgiving with his family in Charleston, S.C., this year. Again. 

PHOTO/PAUL WILLIAMS III

Stephen Addison is spending Thanksgiving at Charlotte Rescue Mission’s drug recovery program. An addict for more than two decades, Addison is scheduled to finish rehab – his 12th try at sobriety – in December.

Addison is at the Charlotte Rescue Mission Men’s recovery program trying to kick a drug habit.

His mom, Inez, wishes he could be home for the holiday.

“He has missed many Thanksgivings (with me),” Inez said by phone. “It would be nice if I could send him a big plate (via) UPS or something. He loves Thanksgiving and the family scene. But I know one day we will (be together) again.”

Addison’s most recent relapse came on a warm August day that he was supposed to spend walking around a Charleston promenade.

Addison, 45, was just days away from moving into his own apartment after relocating clothes and furniture from Inez’s home. He was working a day labor job while looking for full-time employment and had been clean for 18 months - one of the longest periods in his life.

Inez was so proud she put Addison’s sobriety chip on her dresser as a reminder of her son’s achievement.

But instead of taking a walk that summer day, Addison found himself downtown buying drugs. Over the next four days he sold his car and cell phone and emptied his bank account for crack cocaine.

Inez says in the past Addison has even sold one of her cars for a fix.

“He really is a good person,” she said. “I think he can’t handle stress well. He just gives away his possessions and then it starts all over again.”

Addison, an addict for two decades, has been to rehab 12 other times. He has done jail time in Charleston and Florida and has not held a steady job. He also flunked out of South Carolina State University.

“I don’t make excuses,” he says. “It was just a poor decision. I can’t blame anybody or anything.”

Addison says he started drinking and smoking marijuana in high school. He served in the Army from 1988-91, where he was a German linguist. When he returned to Charleston in 1991 he tried crack and became addicted.

“My life’s been on a rollercoaster ever since,” Addison said. “It’s like a downward spiral. It’s like euphoria because when you use it you want it continuously.”

On Sept. 4, Addison checked into the Charlotte Rescue Mission’s free 90-day Christian residential program for addicts who are predominately homeless.

“I think it’s a spiritual component, although we use the 12 steps of (Alcoholics Anonymous), we identify the higher power as Jesus Christ,” says Rescue Mission executive director Tony Marciano.

Clients are allowed to invite relatives to the Rescue Mission during the holidays when they serve meals in is a safe environment.

Addison is scheduled to finish the program Dec. 11.

“Nobody wants to throw their life away; nobody wants to be a drug addict,” he said. “My family will get angry, but they are understanding. I’m just praying to pull it together and keep it together and to not succumb to the devil.”

Inez she says she’ll never give up on her son.

“He’s been dealing with this for a long, long time,” she said. I cannot give up. God doesn’t give up on me and I can’t give up on him.”

Last year Inez prepared Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time so the two could celebrate the holiday together.

“He loves to eat,” she said. “He has some serious plates.”

• The Rescue Mission, located at 907 W. First St. is in need of homemade baked desserts for its Thanksgiving Extravaganza. Desserts can be dropped off Nov. 25 and before 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 26. For more information or to volunteer at the Rescue Mission, call (704) 333-HOPE or visit: charlotterescuemission.org.

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