Season 15, Episode 17
Brittany
Age: 27
Location: Derby, Kansas
Addiction: Heroin
What’s Memorable: Brittany’s relationship with her dad is really moving. The guy seems so damn cool and a really good father, despite his addiction. I had a lot of respect for his willingness to go to treatment to help get his daughter clean. If that’s what he needs to motivate himself, fine, as long as it keeps him clean and keeps Brittany feeling supported.
Update: Brittany Christine Howard died on August 20th, 2016 of an overdose, 2 days after completing treatment. Her family has a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses. And here is Brittany’s obituary
Official Synopsis: Brittany was part of the all-American family. But rape, drugs, and divorce have caused this family unit to crumble. At the center, Brittany’s heroin and meth abuse has created a tornado that has divided the family and now threatens her life..and worse yet, Brittany may not be the only active user in the house.
Date Aired: Aug 2016
Interventionist: Ken
My heart breaks for her and her family. I’m so sorry she lost her battle to drugs. The dangerous part is getting out of rehab and not using then thinking they can use the same amount as before. RIP Briitany. 🙁
I saw her episode twice, when it first aired and again Dec 6. I made my husband watch some of it with me as he and I are recovered heroin addicts (16 yrs) and we’re high school sweethearts and had our oldest baby when we were 19. I felt like I related on several levels. When I first saw it, the ending was bright so I was shocked at this ending. I’m so sorry for the family’s loss. Another reason I made him watch was to show him how sweet and cute she was. She seemed to have such a gentle spirit that was just bound to heroin, like I was in my late teens/early 20’s. She took hold of my heart and I’m sad to see she passed. The world lost a lost a beautiful young lady that day. So sorry.
Im sorry for your loss
Thank you so much for the kind words.. it really does mean alot to me.. gives me more hope and strength.
Thank you
L. Alex Howard
bentbar at yahoo
Just saw the episode. Broke my heart at the end. I held my hand over my mouth for a few minutes in shock. Rest in peace sweet heart. No more pain.
Can you please direct me to this episode?
I just watched the episode brother Alex and I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you moss your baby girl and I pray you stay sober and be a good grandfather for you grandkids. Much lotive sending your way.
So sorry for your loss, L. Alex Howard.
Thank you. I do greatly appreciate your kindness and sympathy. I am staying on a path that I hope will help save other souls out there and loved ones won’t have to go through such pain. I miss Brittany everyday and I couldn’t even watch the episode, because I just still see her as my lil baby girl.
Again thanks.
L. Alex Howard
God bless all the families who have lost loved ones
Thanksgiving is so hard
I was not looking forward to the first thanksgiving without Brittany and actually planned on just going out of town. But because I just let go and let God, I ended up having a very good day with my kids and grandson.
Thanks,
L Alex Howard
L. Alex,
I can’t begin to know your pain, and I pray that I never have to. I was glad to read that you turned it all over to God, and saw your kids and grandson for Thanksgiving.
Please, never leave them because you miss Brittany. They miss her too, and it is not fair to them that you aren’t there with them for holidays. Please be present for them. I know the holidays are hard, but I think I can speak for many people when I say that you and your family have touched many lives, and we will keep you in our prayers.
May God bless you and keep you,
Patricia
@ L Alex Howard: Thank You for taking the time to reply back to me… I appreciate it… means a lot to me! I honestly am trying my best… thankfully my husband is with me thru this… as he too had been struggling… we are both clean currently… him a week… me a little over 4 days… it’s not much but it’s better than being in that forever cycle of wasting money and buying drugs… my drug was opiates… I’ve been on Suboxone for a few years now on & off… it definitely helps than detoxing. Mentally I’m prepared to do this right this time…. I’m just scared that I can’t… but I’m more than willing to try… I’m happy that you’ve been clean — keep it up! It would be great to keep in touch with u so I can get some encouragement and advice for someone that has been there…. looking forward to hearing from u again.
CHICKY .. I am not gonna say it’s easy.. no one who has been through it should say it’s easy. I don’t actually have any big words of wisdom or the magic words but I do know the struggle. I miss Brittany Christine everyday.. sometimes still think I’m in shock.. BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THIS FOR YOU… not for your husband..kids…family…job… whatever. Do it for you because you deserve it and DO NOT lie to yourself. This 6 months is longest soberity I have had in 13 years… even someone with 20 plus years don’t mean anything if they go out and get high on day 1 of the 20 year mark. CHICKY there is NO finish line, no graduation, no completion, no certificate… just life on life’s terms and you can do it… I know you can please do it for YOU.
Thank you for reaching out….I hope you find some comfort and peace during this time in your life. take care
L. Alex Howard
bentbar at yahoo
Chicky,
Please hang in there!!
I lost my Dad due to addiction and I can’t even put into words how that loss has wrecked my life.
Your life matters, please know that!
I’m sending love and prayers your way. I hope you and your husband can overcome this.
If you ever need a shoulder comment back and I’ll reply with a way to get in touch.
@ That Girl
Thank you so much for your kind words….it means a lot!
I am still doing good…it seems to get easier everyday and the cravings slowly disappear…I feel pretty good!
I am so sorry about your dad…may you find some comfort soon.
I have just watched brittanys episode and was in floods of tears. I then read your comments on here and just wanted to wish you luck. Are you still sober? I hope so. My sister has just told us about a year long secret addiction. She hates herself but can’t stop, we do t know what to do. Good luck, always here if you want to chat even though I’m some stranger! Wishing you and your hubby well
Chicky,
Hope all is still going well. When I read your post it rang so true to my world. My husband and I have been on and off the opiate Rollercoaster for 10 yrs. We do the suboxone, get clean, decide we deserve a relaxing weekend and back on dope. It’s insane, truly insane!!
The 10s of thousands I’ve spent on drugs makes me sick but more than that I’ve lost a lot of the past 10 yrs. Isolating ourselves from family when we don’t have dope but then not caring enough when we are high to spend time with anyone. Luckily we have no kids and we care more for our animals than ourselves so they are well cared for. But we’ve isolated our lives from the world that cared about us.
The one thing I’ve gotten from therapy and meetings is it truly is one day at a time! We r always so proud when we get thru the first 24 hrs with no drugs!! We act like we’ve really accomplished something, fools we are! Each 24 hr sober period definitely helps with cravings and you start to feel like you can handle all the crap you’ve put off for months.
I wish you luck and love on your journey!
Cece,
Thank you so much for your kind words. everything you said is exactly what my life is….I never have money…every last bit goes to the opiates. It makes me sick. We are still struggling and honestly we are right back where we started from. its a never ending cycle. If you ever want to email me privately, please do… maybe we can both help each other in this struggle.
One day at a time . I know it sounds like a cliche . Once you can get your head around it , it works . Stay in the moment , don’t get to far ahead of yourself . I’ve been off Heroin for 4 years , but I have been on Subutex maintenance , but then again , I’m 51. Been at this for 30+ years . Not saying it’s for everyone , but it’s saved my life , if you have the resources like medical , you should be able to get it . It saved my life . Hope the best for you
See
Sorry forgot to post my email…
Ambermoon32(at)aol.com (sorry for some reason it wont accept the symbol) LOL
here’s my email:
Ambermoon32(at symbol).com
God bless you and your family. Her story will save lives
Thank you so much for your kind words.
L. Alex Howard
I just saw this ep. Such a lovely girl.
I was wondering if she ever tried methodone to help with her addiction
She did for about a month nearly 3 years ago. I don’t know why she really didn’t go any more.
My prayers, and I’m sure those of others, for your family.
Thank you so much. Really do appreciate your prayers and words.
This episode (which according to my Dish Network DVR is season 18, although according to A&E there are 15 seasons) has been pulled from the A&E website. Also, every episode from this season is available onDemand except for this episode. I wish I had seen it. Prayers for those who have passed feel a bit more powerful when you’ve had some slight understanding of their struggles.
Thanks for the compassion, but yes the episode was removed out of respect. Those producers and everyone involved with it were some of the best people on earth.
I recently told the producers of the show, especially this episode that I want to do a followup. I have such deep hurt that I want NOONE else to have to do this.
Thank you,
L. Alex Howard
so sorry for your loss….I remembered Brittany’s episode…I, too am battling an addiction and I know how hard it is to stay sober. I’m trying my best and I’m sorry that Brittany was taken over by the demons of drug addiction. I hope you find some comfort during this time in your life
@CHICKY … Please hang on to the hope. You have to be done, feel like there’s nothing else. You have to tell yourself this … please DO NOT do this to yourself, you don’t deserve it and your loved ones don’t either. You are not a bad person, you are a GOOD person with a bad disease that can kill you. I will help you in any way I can. I have been in recovery for 6 months now and continued soberity after my beautiful girl Brittany passed. You can’t do it in your own. Get help… let me know.
L. Alex Howard
I have just watched your daughter’s episode and I’m sitting here in floods of tears. I’m so sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful young lady who you could tell wanted to get sober and looked up to you so so much. I hope you are somehow dealing with this terrible loss and looking after yourself too. My sister has just told myself and my parents that she’s been using drugs for the past year, we are in bits. God bless you and your family x Lou from England
I’m so sorry for ur loss I used to hangout with Britt for a couples years before she went to treatment i still remember when she told me she was going to treatment i was so excited for her and in fact she inspired me to go to treatment when she passed. I wish I could thank her for that inspiration but I can thank her family for that thank you i live a much better life now. I want to say to her father stay strong and keep doing what’s right. Much love and prayers!
@ TAREN. That is so good, you have to know that there is NO cure for addiction, there is no certificate, no graduation, no finish line, ONLY staying connected and grounded with like people that are living clean and sober. Don’t put your guard down, it does not go away, but it does get easier and we have to live LIFE ON LIFE’S TERMS, without any mind altering chemicals (alcohol is a drug). Life iS not always easy, but throwing addiction in to cope or mask only makes it worse.
Please always do it for yourself.. no one or nothing else… just for you, then everyone benefits.
Regards
L. Alex Howard (Britts dad)
email
bentbar at yahoo
Thank you so much Mr Lou. We are all connected even without tragedies. Just have to be aware and grateful everyday.
Regards
L. Alex Howard
email
bentbar at yahoo
I wonder how het dad handled her passing. Did he blame himself
This is L Alex Howard, Brittany Christine’s dad. I did put a post on another site.
http://forums.previously.tv/topic/46349-s15e13-brittany/#comment-2612232
I greatly appreciate the sympathy and kind words.
I am sorry for your loss and hope our prayers offer you what little comfort they may. Was Brittany’s episode pulled by A&E out of respect for your family? I would think getting her story out there would be extremely powerful in helping other families who are going through this very pain right now. (Yes, I speak from personal experience).
Hello sir, I am so sorry for your loss! I was watching her story and really hoping that she could beat this! It just broke my heart when I read those words. I pray that she is in a better place and is finally at peace. Prayers going up! God bless u all…..
I literally just saw this episode yesterday. Let me just say I am so sorry for your loss. I battled addiction for 20 years and have been clean for a year and a half. While going through my first year of recovery, I couldn’t watch Intervention- which is one of my favorite shows since the first season. I now have a 24 year old son struggling with addiction & a 22 year old daughter who is currently in treatment for alcoholism. My heart truly goes out to this family. Peace & prayers from Georgia.????
When was the show aired? RIP sweet girl
It’s worth checking out. I would want the same for my family. Dear Brittany; we met you as a human, and now we know you as an angel. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you so much for caring. I do not want this to happen to anyone else. Please hug your kids and loved ones. I miss Brittany so much.
Alex Howard
I teared up watching her story. I smiled at the end ehen yall both talked via video chat. Then the update at the end broke my heart. I was baffled and had my hand over my mouth for minutes. I am sorry for your loss sir. God bless your family and be strong.
I have only watched this now for the first time , im sitting her in shock i can’t beleive she didn’t make it
Watched this episode today…. It’s been with me all day. What a beautiful soul gone entirely too soon. She’s with out father now. Good bless this family!
Dear Alex I just saw the episode of intervention. It saddened me to see she had passed away from an overdose. I am a recovering addict for 10 years now. Drugs destroyed my life but I managed to get myself back by fighting for myself. I had no support at all and it was very hard. I thought for sure will all the support she had and her posivity this would have been a very different outcome! My heart goes out to you and your family! If you ever need a person to talk that’s been where you have been my Facebook page is Lisa A. Burzacki from Pa with a butterfly picture. Sometimes talking to others that went through a similar experience helps. Even though I didn’t know Brittany I know she will be in my thoughts time to time. I am just so truly stunned. RIP Brittany
To LISA BURZACKI, I need good people like you, with the same mind of recovery, do not have Facebook, but email me if you like.
bentbar@yahoo.com
Regards Alex Howard
It shows addiction is the reason for her passing on the go-fund me….what a terrible shame. I lost people to drugs and it’s not a good feeling.
I’m friends with Brittany’s Mom and Brother on Facebook and they said she died from an overdose. They’re trying to raise money for her funeral. It’s so sad, she was so young but her family needs all our prayers and love for this telly tough time
-This is the GoFundMe account to donate money so her family can have an amazing funeral and lay her to rest. Rest In The Sweetest Peace Brittany. Everyone is going to miss you but you’re not suffering with this horrible disease anymore
https://www.gofundme.com/2s96kd98
it looks like brittany’s family is trying to raise money for her funeral expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/2s96kd98?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA_view_campaign&utm_campaign=donation_receiptv5
Brittany wanted to be clean, and had such supportive parents, I remember her dad saying if she didn’t get help and get clean she wouldn’t make it to the end of the summer. I was so happy for her when she completed treatment, which not easy to do. She will be missed.
It looks like she had been in the hospital beforehand. Curious about what happened this is so sad.
wow thats so sad.. i just seen brittany’s episode a few days ago she was part of season 15. rip brittany <3
Here is her obituary:
http://www.smithfamilymortuaries.com/home/index.cfm?action=mobile%3Aobituaries.view&lud=9D256958336630FC5BDE7CE451EF687B&id=3864970&fh_id=12694
This is so tragic. My condolences to her family and friends that knew her. At least she is at peace now. Such an angel. You could tell from the episode that she has a good heart, even in sickness she has a sweet side. Thank you for sharing your story with us, we love you!
https://www.facebook.com/bhoward4 here is her facebook….people are posting RIP messages. So sad.
She died yesterday, August 20th. I assume from a relapse, she had been in the hospital as well so I am not sure. She was a very nice girl in school. RIP
I’m so sorry to hear this. The episode ended on such a hopeful note and her future seemed so bright. I’m heartbroken for her family.
Do you know how I might be able to confirm this so I can let readers know? A death notice or maybe her Facebook page? I’ve searched but nothing has come up. Thanks.
Brittany passed away yesterday…
I might be a little late to the party I’m just seeing this episode for the first time but wow both of her parents were great. Her Dad was obviously really cool and the mom handled everything so well. Really calm and understanding not angry just concerned- I really liked her.
Brittany passed away yesterday…
I just got word that Brittany (Brittany Christine Howard) passed away today. I am not sure the cause, but my suspicion is drugs.
You can really tell from this photo that she had a serious problem with her tooth. That can be very painful. That she would forgo getting that taken care of shows how low she had gotten. It appears that she got it taken care of. That can be troublesome, but maybe it cleared up with just antibiotics instead of a more complicated procedure. I really hope she and her did make it.
Oh please! Your commenting on her tooth??!
LOL….that was MY first impression too!
I think she was desperate to get help, she looked really lost and in pain the whole time and she looked like she didn’t really wanted the heroin at all, she just didn’t know how to stop…
I’m really rooting for her and her father, I hope he’ll stay clean too so they can be healthy together!
As a recovered addict of over 10 years I can tell you that she was absolutely sick and tired of being addicted. Watch the episode again if that wasn’t abundantly clear the first time.
Most addicts like her and at that point are no longer using to simply ‘get high’. They’re still using because they have to in order not to get sick. The addiction becomes more physical than anything. And it’s at that point an opiate addict will do almost anything NOT to get “ill”. And once you’re “ill” you feel too sick to even go hustle up your fix. It’s a vicious crazy cycle. Seeing her episode again brings me to tears. She wanted help. She wanted her teeth fixed. She DIDN’T WANT TO BE RAPED. And sadly that’s what lead her to start using.
Rest in peace Brittany.
Yeah, my god so sad this beautiful girl. RIP