09/30/2025
We have a few more stories to post! We are not done yet!
September is Recovery Month! This month we will be sharing stories of those in Recovery. Recovery is Possible!
Everyone meet Erika & Brandon. We had the pleasure of photographing Erika & Brandon and hearing their story.
Thank you for participating and having the courage to share your story.
Here is their story in their own words:
Our True Love Story: 23 Years Together
Brandon and I have been together for 23 years, and we finally got married on July 8th of this year. Our journey hasn’t been easy—we spent nearly 13 years of our relationship living in active addiction. But through it all, our love has endured.
We met in a way that’s far from a fairy tale: Brandon was dropping off drugs at a friend’s house. Was it love at first sight? Not exactly! We partied together for about six months before we actually started dating. Both of us were using daily, but we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. For a while, our lives revolved around drugs, s*x, and crashing wherever we landed.
Eventually, we got a room for rent, and Brandon started working to support us. Not even two months after moving in, I found out I was pregnant. This was Brandon’s first child, and we were both so excited. I already had a son, Caleb, from a previous relationship—he was seven at the time.
We planned to do everything right, but addiction had a strong hold on me. Brandon could take or leave the drugs at that point, but I had been struggling with opiates for a long time. That’s actually why I didn’t have custody of Caleb—his grandparents took him in when I went to treatment for the first time. Even after I completed the program, they refused to give him back and told me to go to court if I wanted to fight for him. I was devastated, and the situation with Caleb’s father made everything even harder.
After Brandon and I decided to go through with the pregnancy, he worked every single day—no matter what. Even if he had to walk through a storm, he did it. We eventually moved into a small studio apartment in Laconia that my cousin owned. I struggled so hard to stay clean, but I just couldn’t. Brandon would beg me to stop, but I was so lost in my addiction. We cared, but I couldn’t find a way out.
Our son, Kaiden M. Collins, was born on November 17, 2005. He came into this world with m**hadone in his system. We were lucky enough to bring him home, but things quickly spiraled out of control. The very first night we were away from him, both Brandon and I got arrested. DCYF got involved, but before they could take action, my uncle and aunt stepped in and took Kaiden when he was just six months old. It broke our hearts. All we could do was get high to cope with the pain.
We tried to do the right things, but nothing ever seemed good enough. DCYF already had their minds made up. Once they met my aunt & uncle we had no chance. We were doing the things on the checklist maybe not perfect or the way they thought it should have been done. Them taking our rights was the easiest way out for them, because my aunt & uncle had the picket fence life/home. While I was incarcerated, I made the incredibly hard decision to give up my parental rights. After fighting for months, I had finally served my time before Kaiden was even in the picture. I just completed parenting classes and anger management for both me and Brandon, but anyways I had to serve 6 months at Belknap House Of Corrections. That is when I really had nothing to do but think, and try to make the best choice for moving forward and getting released. So Brandon & talked about this several times at visits and he was dead set against it. I did a week later while still locked up ,he went through and made them take his rights. ( CASA tried playing us against each other) TRY AGAIN STILL TOGETHER STRONGER THEN EVER
Brandon stood by me the whole time I was incarcerated, he made sure I had a new apartment & with all the furnishings we needed for the day I got released. When I got released I wasn't totally off the hook, I had 2 years of probation with Serene Eastman. She was one of my biggest supporters getting out & adjusting back into the real world. She was an easy PO. She was strict and always told me to be honest no matter what and I did. Brandon and Myself were having a hard time accepting the fact we did not have Kaiden. My family promised us we would always be part of his life, but it was not going that way. So much pain, guilt, hate we both felt. Brandon then pushed me to fight for visits with Caleb. He helped me stay consistent calling, took action filed with courts even without a lawyer to represent me. It was a long, slow process and at times felt like I was defeated. Eventually I got little bits of time supervised with Caleb which eventually turned to more time & unsupervised.
It was 2007 We found out I was pregnant again. Even though a couple years after losing Kaiden it was still very fresh in our hearts. We were both very excited but nervous on what the next steps would be. I was not using heavy drugs at all. At this point it was just like a weekend thing and had been the past two years. All I knew was I WAS NOT GOING TO USE DRUGS WITH THIS PREGNANCY. A new medication came out called Subutex and I got on, with the doctor's saying it was safe for the baby. I had to meet the doctor every 2 weeks, and take a drug test every time. I was feeling �� no cravings, legally prescribed to me & it was safe for the baby. 9 months later �� we gave birth to Brandon's 2nd son
Ashton Blaze Collins 8lbs. 1oz 22 inches long / natural delivery ➖️COMPLETELY DRUG FREE➖️ He was a healthy little boy and I got to embrace all the special moments this time. Brandon spoiled me ��
For the next 7-8 years we built a beautiful life. We both were clean from all drugs, except my prescribed medication. Brandon had a really good job paving for GMI Asphalt, he was the tool truck driver/ roller operator. We moved to a nice 3 bedroom, 3 floors, full basement laundry all brand new inside. I mean I was so happy, & couldn't believe it was reality sometimes. We had all the material things Harley, diamonds, name brand clothing, all the stuff that* DONT MATTER* In the end,
April 1,2015 was A Wednesday and I received a phone call from my uncle Danny, he said " Erika hunn6 dad's in hospital and not looking good, he was gonna keep me posted. Couple hours later my auntie called & she said you need to come ASAP, your daddy is ready and waiting for you. We are all waiting, I didn't know what to say or how to feel. I was numb, I had to drive to Lewiston ME that day, my mom took care Ashton & Brandon was to busy work, so I ended up alone. On my way out of town getting gas, & that's the beginning to my end. I copped like a quarter once of m**h, got high & cried the whole 3 hours but it ended up being 4,5 hours because I stopped at any store/ gas station I could along the way. I did not want to face reality.��������.
When I arrived, words still can't explain what I was seeing, feeling, or saying. I don't remember any of it, except crying holding his hand�� My 6 year roller-coaster had begun & I didn’t care. I was in love with m**hamphetamine & I would yell in my mom's fast " I will never stop " multiple times. Brandon felt in his heart I was getting high, but didn’t want to face the reality of "YES SHE IS". Lots of fighting, lying, stealing, & cheating took place for the next 2 years. I couldn’t hide it anymore nor did I want to, at this point I had a full blown F**K IT & YOU attitude. If you didn't like what I was doing, don't come around. We slowly started to get behind, we had a demand for rent for the first time in 10 years. Brandon was tired of all of it, but loved me too much to leave me, so he finally joined my party�� bottom hit quickly after that.
HOMELESS- for the first time ���� no family to stay with, nobody to help with Ashton, no vehicle because Harley & car repoed, Brandon was lucky to still have a job still. We couch surfed and his brother gave us a GMC to use for us to sleep & took Ashton to their house at night to shower then eat & sleep. I would grab him am to bring to school
DCYF tried to get involved the 1st time but their reason didn't hold, I was scared & lost, the thought of losing him was devastating but getting high had to be priority still. The GMC broke down 8 mos. Later, which left Brandon and I no place to sleep, Brandon's sister took Ashton for like another 8 months. We really never saw Ashton, because w3 we're living in a trap house, a trap house, no vehicle. It was awful. So I tried rehab at this point, stayed 28 days, got out, went sober living & Brandon too. I went back to Laconia, both of us sober living, I lasted 28 days, relapsed, went to an old sponsor house to dry out & I got into the family side carey house. Ashton came and stayed with me, I had got a job,a car, and tried to do the next right thing.
We just could not stay clean & provide Ashton with all the stable stuff kids need.So we went to two more shelters Belknap House Laconia / Bridge House Plymouth within the next year. Ashton was taken from us at like 9pm at night Belknap House called, & his older brother Caleb came and got him. He took care of Ashton for the next 11 mos.
Treatment happened again for myself, not Brandon this time. We ended up at The Bridge House Plymouth this time, going to the m**hadone clinic, got paid by state to go and legally got jammed everyday 215mg a day I figured luck it no one can tell me I can't be on this it's prescribed, & I was right DCYF didn't care as long as I provided clean UA, working, showing up visits, parenting classes
and we did all that.
Brandon & I just got Ashton home for 4 months and off and running we went again because we weren't being held accountable with our m**hadone because of Covid. Sending us both home with 2400 MG. Of liquid done. With no check-in or tests. We started selling& trading it. OFF TO WERE WE LEFT OFF!!����
This time it was at 11pm, maybe later Plymouth Police Dept. Knocking on my door,I was sleeping ( probably just did a bag) Ashton was playing his game. They were not nice to me at all. I was lost it every emotion in that moment, I had NOBODY TO CALL ☎️ I begged to at least wait til morning NOPE they said, It was so heartbreaking no family around to help, and my baby boy once again being dragged around like he has no feelings, no questions nothing!! Once again a F**KING FAILURE MOM SO I got him in police car calmly holding my tears back, lying to him that it's all going to workout. Gave him kisses & off he went!! At that moment I blamed all those bi***es!!
" I WAS SCREAMING I HAVE TO MAKE THIS RIGHT" OVER OVER
"SO I DID" FARNUM WELCOMED ME BACK OPEN ARMS ��
Detox 10 days / 30 days residential program - I also took care of a pending charge of possession because I attended treatment and completed it.✔️✔️ I moved to Littleton NH 2020 into Sober living WMRH, just opened I was first round of girls❗️❗️
I hit the ground running doing meetings, meeting DCYF team, getting my identification so I could start work asap. My first job was at Genfoot (boot factory) . They were considered a RFW (recovery friendly workplace) which I had never heard of before. It meant that the company hires & supports addicts. I was amazed & excited. My hours 7am-3pm Mon-Fri I was so grateful for a set schedule job. Everything was working out, Brandon was staying clean he detoxed himself at the shelter in Plymouth & stayed there to live & get back on his feet too, but separately for a while.
Fast forward to today, I am currently working at Serenity Center and helping others. Brandon & I also currently own and operate a construction company.
