Alison Cares Foundation

Shaw Media • Thursday-Friday, August 26-27, 2021 | OPIOID & MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Alison Flory’s legacy: Help for substance use disorder

An accidental drug overdose robbed Alison Flory of a full life. Following her death, her mother, Jennifer Flory, began sharing her experience with the hope that her daughter’s story helps other families prevent what happened to her family from happening to theirs.

Alison was smart and outgoing with a quirky sense of humor. She was a highly empathic person who lived to help others whenever she had the chance. She had an abundance of joy and enthusiasm for life. Throughout her childhood, she played soccer and volleyball, took art classes, played the violin and saxophone, loved to cook, travel, and try new things, and she loved to read books. Alison loved to live life. One of her favorite sayings was, “YOLO” (you only live once).

No parent expects their child to take a turn down the wrong path. And no child expects the path they take to kill them. Alison was no different.

What began as experimental use of marijuana and ecstasy as a teen gradually turned into full-fledged addiction over the course of a few years. After experiencing a traumatic event during her sophomore year of high school, Alison turned to substance use as a means to cope with her emotional pain. During the last week of the school year, Alison and her boyfriend had an argument which led to their breaking up. The next day, Alison’s boyfriend took his own life. She could never rid her mind of the grief and guilt she felt after that day.

She began taking pills she got from friends to “self-medicate” and numb her emotional pain. These pills were opiates (i.e., Vicodin, Oxycontin) and benzodiazepines (i.e., Xanax, Klonopin), both of which are highly addictive. Over the following two years, she received grief counseling, stopped taking the pills, graduated from high school, and began college at Columbia College in Chicago.

Unfortunately, the roommate assigned to live with her in student housing used and dealt drugs, which made Alison fall back into the trap of addiction. She left college and returned home before the first year was over and decided to go to community college until she was ready to be on her own. She pursued graphic design and seemed to be doing okay; however, her substance use resumed and continued to have a hold on her.

At age 23, Alison voluntarily sought treatment at a residential South Florida facility where she did amazingly well … until it was time to step down to a lower level of treatment where she had more freedom (and temptations). Over the next 18 months, she became a victim of “patient brokering” and got stuck in the “Florida shuffle.” She ended up in an unscrupulous facility operated by a man named Kenny Chatman. She was in his program for six weeks before overdosing in the sober home Kenny also operated. Her overdose was fatal.

However, this is not where Alison’s story ends. Since Alison’s death, her mother,

Jennifer, has been committed to helping other parents recognize the signs of substance use and find help for those struggling with substance use disorder. Jennifer said, “My mission is to ensure that each and every person has access to resources for ethical and effective treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, which will afford them the greatest opportunity for long-term recovery,” Jennifer said. “If I knew then what I know now, my daughter may have still been alive today.” She has founded a nonprofit, Alison Cares Foundation, and a support group called “Perspectives – Family Recovery Support & Addiction Education.” They meet every Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom Jennifer Flory speaks at an event. (ID 987-3218-9143, Passcode: Selfcare) and in person at Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville on the first Thursday of each month. Jennifer also works for the Ecker Center for Behavioral Health in Marketing and Fundraising. She has helped many families find their path to recovery and continues to make her daughter, Alison, proud of her and the work she does. Nobody wants to lose a child; however, Jennifer has taken her loss and turned it into Alison’s legacy. Thank you, Jennifer, for caring and fighting.

Photos provided Mother Jennifer Flory (left) created the nonprofit Alison Cares Foundation in honor of her daughter, Alison Flory.

healing those whose lives have been affected by addiction

perspectives

FAMILY RECOVERY SUPPORT & ADDICTION EDUCATION

A safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where people can share their struggles and learn to focus on positive changes for their own recovery.

IN-PERSON MEETING 1ST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH:

Wheatland Salem Church, Room 149, Naperville, IL

ZOOM MEETING EVERY THURSDAY AT 7PM:

Meeting ID - 987 3218 9143, passcode - Selfcare

All are welcome to join us on our Zoom meetings or our in-person group in Naperville. No RSVP is required, nor is full attendance or participation. We don't mind if people need to join late, leave early, and/or refrain from sharing their experience if they are not comfortable. We realize that seeking help can be scary and that trusting others can take time. Just as we aim to meet our loved ones where they are in their journey, we do the same with their family members.