Kim Carlson pictured on Oct. 4 speaking to several community members about the importance of recovery and reintegration. Submitted photo

Kim Carlson lost her son Feb. 26, 2016, due to addiction.

Carlson and her family knew something was wrong but didn’t realize what it was before it was too late. Alex was 26 years old. From the moment Carlson lost her son, she knew she had to find a way to help others.

Fast forward four years later, where Carlson saw the vision come full circle. UPMC Chautauqua opened a long-term residential unit at Jones Health on the fourth floor.

“Our new residential program offers opportunities of a short term stay for the early stage of recovery that may include medication assisted therapy,” said Cecil Miller, vice president of operations. “The program also offers a long-term rehabilitation option for those wishing to work on addressing established patterns of substance misuse. Individuals also have an option to enter treatment to reintegrate into the community. At UPMC Chautauqua we understand that recovery is a spectrum and focusing on the individuals vision of success is our goal.

Carlson wanted to have a birthday celebration in Alex’s memory, who would have been 30 years old and wanted the opportunity to talk to the first residents in the program about the importance of recovery and reintegration. Carlson spoke at UPMC Chautauqua’s Jones Health residential program on Alex’s birthday, Oct. 4, on behalf of her addiction to alcohol and how many people were affected by Alex’s death.

Carlson has raised money through her nonprofit, “A Fresh Start,” to provide transitional housing for addicts who have already gone through treatment and are looking to re-establish themselves into society.

She has also formed an endowment fund, “A Fresh Start,” at WCA Foundation to support chemical dependency at UPMC Chautauqua.

The best take-away from the day was from a young man, who had struggled for so many years, in and out of outpatient facilities, shared: “This is an intense treatment facility, you actually have to be involved with treatment in order to have time out in the community. I am now being a part of something for myself, earning the time I need and being rewarded for the behaviors I am learning.”

Trish McClennan, director of Clinical Services followed up: “The purpose of the program it to start to slowly reintegrate into the community. This is a program with an advanced level of care for treatment, which requires a great deal of resources and expertise. We are fortunate to have both.”

For information on how to support Carlson’s fund at WCA Foundation, please contact Megan Barone, director of development, at Baronema3@upmc.edu or 664-8423.