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Season 4, Episode 15

Charles

Age: 23
Location: California
Addiction: Heroin
What’s Memorable: “I’ll probably die on the streets, and I hope it’s sooner rather than later.” The scene of him shooting up in the fast food restaurant bathroom is disturbing. What a life. The followup is amazing.

Update: Sadly, Charles died of pneumonia, sepsis, and liver failure on March 10, 2014.  My heart goes out to his loved ones and everyone who was touched by his story.

Official synopsis: A talented motocross rider, Charles, 23, is still dealing with terrible childhood memories. When he was seven, his father went to jail for molesting him and his younger brother, and his mother became an alcoholic. Today, he uses heroin and alcohol to blot out his memories, but he’s pushed most of his family away. Now, his half-sister, Lindsey, is reuniting the family in one last attempt to help Charles with an intervention.

Original Air Date: July 2008
Interventionist: Ken

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  1. irene

    This episode with Charles was the most unforgettable of all the people I’ve seen on this program. Shooting up on the floor of a public restroom, wandering the streets, his worried and careworn sister, his tragic past, I cried for this young man. I often wonder how he is doing today and hope he is living a better life.

    1. elle

      Charlie fooled everyone. N i truly have a hard time saying this. He had everything. His treatment center was giving him a scholarship for school and an apt. He used instead. Left treatment after 9 months with the secretary! I will always care for him. He was one my dearest friends in fl. Almost like my little brother.(and it was proven by him he looked to me as older sister, because when he relapsed, he came to me n spoke to me the way he did his sister, no one else just me. It breaks my heart daily cuz i have no idea where he is now. I truly wish i had better news

      1. marcy lily

        The last I was told was of his stealing his brothers identity and being imprisoned or in jail but that was in 2012. His story broke my heart and then hearing he relapsed so profoundly just hurt even more . I was under the impression he is still using . Too sad.

      2. Kevin

        Charles died of an overdose not long after you posted this comment. I just found this put today from a mutual friend. I’m sorry.

      3. tyler

        Damn im so sorry brother.we lived together for 6months at same treatment.iv been wondering how you have been.but no way to get ahold of you.damn i cant believe this.i wish i was able to be there for ya bit after i graduated destination hope I move back up North Florida. my love and condolences to your whole family especially your sister who are the sweetheart I know you’re in a better place now you’re not hurting or struggling look over me if you can and I’ll see you when I get there gone but not forget

      4. Lindsey

        This is his sister. Yes he was an addict he at times fooled people but it sounds like you are speaking negatively about him and I do not appreciate it.

      5. Johnathan O

        He left with the secretary from treatment? Man it’s so sad he is dead and never ever will have another chance to get it right. Allowed his PAST, which is awful and no doubt very messed up, to ruin his life and didn’t choose to forgive but allowed it the power to destroy him using drugs as a coping mechanism. So sad. I’m 92 days clean myself today from heroin addiction and I saw this because I NEVER WANT TO BE ONLINE THIS WAY OR DIE @ my age( 36 currently) I thank The Lord for another chance and the guidance of the Word, my NA support, a sober woman in my life and salvation today. So tragic!

      6. Chanel

        Congratulations. Moment of silence for those who are still active in their addiction. I am so thankful I got a second chance at life. Today I am three years 6 months and 5 days clean from a heroin, and meth addiction. Sorry you lost your life Charles. I hope you are no longer in pain. My heart goes out to his family.

      7. Johnathan

        Were you in REHAB with him??

      8. Holly

        I am the “secretary” that your talking about and one thing I can tell you is that I have been in recovery for a long time now and I was young and had just lost my ex to a drug overdose when I actually fell for Charlie. He is someone I will always keep in my heart. He didn’t have anyone filed. We were honest and pretty stupid.

      9. Christian Oliver

        Holly, if you see this, take care. Lots of love, Oliver.

    2. Kevin

      Charles was a good friend of mine when we were growing up. I stumbled on your comment by mistake looking for the episode of him. He died of a drug overdose a couple months ago.

      1. tonihackett12

        My heart is so broken. See the comment below that I posted. I got a chance to meet him and pray with him. Please share that with his family.

  2. sally

    Was charles from riverside ca?

    1. marcy lily

      Charles’ Facebook page is still up . I believe the posts stopped around 2011 – 2012 . It listed that he had moved to Riverside , California ( the same town Christina ,Meth/Norco abuser who swore bugs were coming out of her skin , was from ) . I do not know who the girl in his last posted picture was but she was Christina’s Doppelganger if it was not her . The caption said ” Besties” .
      It is really sad to see because he looked physically healthy . Then in 2011 the posts ended .

      1. melissa

        omg that is christina. wow thats crazy.

      2. laura

        Link to his fb or his name pls

  3. tonihackett12

    My heart is broken to read this. I’ll never forget watching this episode and praying for him. I know this sounds bizarre but I prayed that God would allow me to meet Charles. I just wanted the chance to sit and pray with him. Sure enough a few months later I was on my way too church in Corona,CA (this was probably about 4 years ago or so.) We stopped at a McDonald’s and I saw him sitting in the parking lot. I couldn’t just do nothing. I know that God had brought me to that very place just to meet Charles. I went up to him and told him that I had seen his story and intervention. I told him that I’ve thought and prayed about him ever since and that I asked God to meet him. I told Charles, “Jesus loves you. He knows your struggle, and with His help you can overcome. Can I please take your hands and can we pray together?” He told me “Yes, please.” I kneeled down with him in the parking lot and took his hands which were hard as rocks and swollen and we prayed together and cried.” It was a moment that I will never forget that changed my life. I know that Charles had his struggles, his pain and his demons with addiction but I know he had a heart and soul. I only pray he is with Jesus. I have since prayed that I would get to see him again and ever since our destined meeting I’ve continued to pray and wonder how he is doing. My heart is so broken right now. I’m praying for his friends and family for peace and comfort. If anyone knows his family…please let them know that my heart goes out to them. I was so honored and grateful to meet such a sweet soul.

  4. shane

    I met charles in jail in 2012 and he was a good guy that had troubles he was never going to get over and I miss him he took me under his wing and tried to help me not lead the life he lived and it helped me a lot I’ve been sober since. I miss you charles your a good and a great friend

    1. powerblondemom

      I love that… Praying for you and your strength on your continued path of sobriety. God bless you.

    2. Greg E.

      Your experience with Charles in jail reminds me of what we say in AA: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. Charles, as bad as it got, unto death, was still able to help you.

      This whole episode is so, so sad. It breaks my heart

  5. A

    I am truly sorry to know that Charles couldn’t get past his pain and succumbed to his drug addiction. I watched Charles’ episode years ago and was struck by his beautiful face (when sober). Always hoped Charles was alive, clean and happy. Guess he is now that he is in heaven. My condolences to his family, especially to his sister who tried so hard to save Charles.

  6. marcy lily

    So saddened over his death. I just saw this . He made mistakes but we all do and many pay with their lives . I wish things could have gone so much differently for him .

    Sometimes people are so broken they just can’t be fixed . I lost my baby sister two weeks ago to Mestatic Cancer . She was a former opiate and benzo addict and Dr’s thought the was pill shopping when she was complaining of pain . They refused to run any diagnostic tests on her but put her back on Xanax. She was run to the e.r. by my parents , cancer found and she died at 37 , 14 hours later . I hate the physical and psychological pain that leads to addiction like Charles had . I am so sorry for those who loved him .

  7. crystal

    A&E has an app that I have on my Kindle in which you can watch some episodes (not complete, but a few dozen episodes), and a lot of extended clips and follow ups. The app and the viewing is free, however the sound on the clips and eps is low and the commercials have loud volumes, so be mindful of this if you are using headphones.

    I say all of that to say I just watched a clip on Charles’ followup and at that time he was doing really good after a mishap of getting needles mailed to him, and having to go to a new center. I don’t think he had used, though. He looked so healthy, I am so sad to learn he is gone. Addiction, and I am an addict myself, is the hardest thing to get out of my mind. It’s a constant desire to use, and I can only speak on opiate/heroin addiction, after not that long, you are using to not be sick. When you’re in that place, many of us feel we can’t take off work for a week for the sickness to be done, or some have people they take care of who cannot be put to the side until you are over the sickness, so we use to function. After a while, the avoidance of being ill will become such a motivator that you will risk or do almost anything to avoid it, and while you might be able to hold it together for a while (years, in my case), eventually your house of cards WILL blow down. You’ll lose your job, your home, your family’s trust and respect, your self esteem, your health, your freedom, until the ultimate price is paid.

    I’m so sad Charles lost his life. I hope he will rest in peace, and that for those who knew and loved him can find comfort and the strength to go on living without him. It’s a terrible disease, and I hope anyone reading this who has an addict in their life knows that a person in active addiction has no control over their addiction and the things they do that hurt or deprive you of things are not done as a personal attack against you. I’ve done some terrible things to get heroin, and even as I stole from my family, I knew I was doing something horrible, but I couldn’t stop. It’s hard to explain it if you haven’t lived it.

    Charles, you were a sweet man. RIP! Anyone who hasn’t experimented with any opiates (including vicodin or percocet, any prescribed) please do yourself the biggest favor and just DON’T TRY IT. Not even once! I never EVER thought I would end up a heroin addict, with a needle in my arms (and hands, and legs, and breasts, and feet), full of drugs I got by prostituting myself or stealing.

  8. Marcia

    Reblogged this on Marcia Levi.

  9. Donette

    This is such heartbreaking news. He was a such a sweet young man. Rest easy my friend.

  10. SoberAlcoholic

    RIP Brother. It’s a hard fight. I can relate, because I had childhood sexual abuse and addiction in my life. Wish you could have seen the other side long-term- clean and happy. My condolances to the family.

  11. Lindsey

    Charles would appreciate everyone’s love and comments. He died from pneumonia, sepsis, and liver failure he didn’t overdose. His body just gave up. I will never forget that day I lost half of my heart.

    1. jess

      Where can I watch his episode?
      Im so sorry for your loss.

    2. chris m

      I am so sorry Lindsey. I hope he is at peace.

    3. reindeer

      A family member just passed from the same exact things. except i think she busted her spleen rather then her liver. she had an abscess which caused blood poisoning (sepsis) and apparently had pneumonia they say. 1 month out if rehab for the 20th time.

    4. Karen Maggard

      I cried when I found out.

  12. Chris M

    Man, I cant find this episode anywhere. Anybody have any idea where I might be able to watch it.

    1. BobbyB

      You can purchase the episode on Amazon!

      1. Kelly

        I just looked on Amazon and couldn’t find it.

      2. Sue Ellen Hegstrom

        It’s on YouTube – look for user name “Ramoin”, and you’ll find several uploaded.

  13. Cree Love

    You have to go to the iTunes Store. Enter “Intervention season 4” in the search bar. $1.99.

    You can buy it @ the ITunes Store. Enter “Intervention season4” in search bar. $1.99

  14. Melanie

    Sending thoughts of warmth and comfort to everyone who was in Charles’ life. I’m so sorry there wasn’t a happier outcome for this young man.

  15. Kimberly

    For some reason charles has been on my mind and I felt the urge to research his name. I am so devestated and heart broken by this news. Charles was one of my closest friends growing up with whom I spent a lot of time with. He had such a good and wonderfull heart and was such a joy and fun to be around. He was soo full of life. Lindsay I am sooo sorry for your loss charles was very loved and will always be missed. He was a wonderful person who despite his struggles was always able to make others smile. I recently came across old childhood photos of us when going through my mom’s stuff after she passed. I will cherish those moments forever. So many of the kids we grew up with in our small town fell into drugs, only a few of us got away. I will miss you charles.

  16. Jennifer

    We just watched the Episode about Charles and I googled to see an update to find out if he is doing better. We are so sorry to know that Charles passed away. Our prayers go out to his family and friends.

  17. Karen Maggard

    I entered recovery for the 2nd. time in Aug. 2008. I watched Intervention religiously then. I loved Charles! Even though I have never tried heroin, I felt sorry for him. I have depression/anxiety/panic attacks. I self medicated for years to blot out the pain. I felt that I understood him. I will have 10 years of recovery in Aug. 2018. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I almost wish that I didn’t know that he is dead…..

    1. dmitri

      just wanted to wish you congratulations on 10 years of sobriety since it is now august when im writing this

  18. Loryanna Crow Zalewski

    His episode was uploaded today. RIP Charles. I didn’t know him. I wish I would have, I would have given him a big hug. As a recovered alcoholic, his story touched my heart. I was so happy to see him in recovery. Just found out he passed this year. How heartbreaking!

  19. Lindsey Unruh

    I check these from time to time when I’m missing my brother a lot . It’s so nice to hear how many lives he has touched even after his death. He was such a special soul and I’m so glad other people can see that.

    1. Oliver

      Hey Lindsey, I was a client at DHope when Charlie came in and I got to know him well. I think of him and his story often. Clean for 12 years this past July and Charlie played a small but important part in that first year. Hope you are well and take care.

  20. Brooke

    the grandfather and brother really frustrated me. why even bother having an intervention if they don’t see the extreme importance of or want to participate?? i suppose that doesn’t matter now, sadly. he definitely seemed like such a good guy, it’s too bad he wasn’t able to find peace enough to stop using. the poor sister, also. i hope she’s ok.

  21. Julianne Robinson

    Hey Lindsey…

    Really sorry to see about the loss of your brother. I actually went to school in Idyllwild with Leif. Hoping he’s doing okay too. Much love to you and your family…

    Julianne

  22. Stephanie

    I love your website Dizzy! I look at it almost daily as I’m rewatching all the episodes. Charles was one of my favourite episodes of all time! There’s been so many great comments on here I just wanted to point out that I thought Charles overdose because that’s what it states on this website but his sister actually commented..

    LINDSEY
    Charles would appreciate everyone’s love and comments. He died from pneumonia, sepsis, and liver failure he didn’t overdose. His body just gave up. I will never forget that day I lost half of my heart.

    His cause of death should be changed to pneumonia, sepsis and liver failure. So others aren’t misinformed like I was.

    RIP Charles, I’m a little jealous of heaven, it’s full of the most amazing people

    1. Dizzy

      Not sure how I missed that, thanks.

  23. Willa Shampo

    Does anyone know where I can watch this episode? It seems so powerful but also seems to be scrubbed from the internet

    1. Katie

      I’m looking for it too! These links are dead.

      1. Suzvkb

        i just watched it a few days ago on dailymotion🌝

  24. Jayla

    If anyone has a link for this episode please post! Its not on dailymotion anymore that I can find.

    1. Chance and Destiny

      it’s on Discovery plus and Amazon Prime. just watched it

      1. Katie

        Discovery + only has episodes 15-21 and his episode was 4?

    2. Chance and Destiny

      Sorry for the confusion, I have Discovery Plus on Amazon Prime. It is Definitely on Amazon Prime. I just turned it on to make sure

  25. Dahlia

    I hate to be judgmental, especially of someone who has lost their sibling, but Leif the brother really irked me. It’s one thing to be detached from an addict, believe me I get it, but to give interviews and agree to be filmed on camera for TV to talk about how much you hate that your brother is doing this, only to totally refuse to participate in the intervention or object to writing a letter. That was not okay, objectively. And you can tell it really bothered Charles. Again, I understand the deeper reasons why, but that whole fit he threw about it and then just ditching the intervention was such a slap in the face to Charles.