Caitlin Erickson Dies At 28 Battling Alcoholism
Caitlin Erickson, 28, was found dead around 10 p.m. February 27th. Why did the police find the body of this 28 year charming and funny woman in her Grand Forks apartment dead? Caitlin was battling alcoholism and she battled it for a very long time.
Caitlin struggled with alcoholism for years. Her parents believed her drinking got worse when she lost custody of her son. Caitlin’s mom stated that Caitlin always felt extremely guilty for losing him in the custody battle. In 2014, Caitlin moved to Grand Forks with her 2 year old daughter, Emily. Caitlin moved there to be closer to her parents and also for her parents to help raise Emily.
State statistics show North Dakota as one of the highest states for binge drinking in the United States. Whether it is the atmosphere or just the culture in North Dakota, drinking seems to be a huge issue. However, it was not Caitlin’s idea to move to Grand Forks. Caitlin had learned how to manipulate her friends St. Louis area, while battling alcoholism. “She couldn’t keep her life together anymore,” stated Jessica Grinstead, a friend of Caitlin that she met through an addiction recovery support group. Jessica said, “She couldn’t hold a job. She just wanted to be a good mom but couldn’t stop drinking.”
Caitlin’s friends contacted her parents in early 2014 after several attempts to help her become sober. Caitlin’s friends enabled her while she was battling alcoholism by allowing her to stay with them after her alcoholism caused her to be evicted from an apartment. Caitlin did not maliciously manipulate her friends, but her bright, “jokester” personality sometimes hid her addiction and made her very likable. “She had this incredible goofiness about her, even when her heart was breaking,” Jan Erickson, Caitlin’s mom explained.
Caitlin’s friends felt they could no longer help her or watch her continue down a dark path. “We were just kind of at a loss,” said Angie Fromme, a high school friend of Caitlin. Angie explained, “It was like, ‘I don’t know what else there is for you here in St. Louis, so maybe there’s something for you there in Grand Forks.'” When Caitlin returned to her parents’ home her mother claimed, “she was so afraid of being out of a controlled environment and being on her own again.” Battling alcoholism can do that to a person. You try to stay on the straight and narrow path, but are mortified of the possibilities of a relapse.
The last two months of Caitlin’s short life were the most difficult. Her mother picked her up twice from the emergency room in February due to her high blood alcohol content from drinking. Caitlin’s mom explained, “It took its toll on this family, and then you feel guilty, because you love this person so much.” Jan Erickson, Caitlin’s mom explained, “The hard part for us as parents is because she was an adult you can’t force help on her.” In the end, Caitlin Erickson died battling alcoholism, so if you or a loved one is also battling an addiction, call us now. We know how hard it can be.
