READ THESE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES FROM DR. BUTKINS' CLIENTS
"Dr. Butkins played an integral part in my recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. He provided me with knowledge about the disease of addiction and taught me how to overcome the triggers that would lead me to go out and use or drink. Dr. Butkins is a very knowledgeable, respectable, and professional counselor. He truly cares for his clients and you can tell from the minute you first meet him that he is a man who has genuine concern for the addict and is willing to do what it takes to help you. I am forever grateful to Dr. Butkins for teaching and giving me the tools necessary to maintain my recovery from alcohol and substance abuse." John - Orlando, FL January 2009
“I met Dr. Butkins when I went to a counseling session with my alcoholic husband about 2.5 years ago. He is a highly skilled professional and is very knowledgeable on the disease of alcoholism and its affect upon the families of alcoholics. When we met, I was sick with worry and fear, angry, and unhappy. Living each day in fear of what awful thing would happen next, both my mental and physical health were beginning to suffer. When my husband went off to a rehabilitation center, I continued to see Dr. Butkins. As he challenged my thinking and attitudes and encouraged me to recognize and deal with my feelings, my mind began to open and allow me to look at life situations and the disease of alcoholism in ways that would never have occurred to me on my own. He sent me to Al-Anon where I found other people affected by a loved one’s alcoholism that were working the 12 Steps and willing to help me in my recovery. Today, there is less worry and fear in my life and more serenity. I know that Dr. Butkins’ skill, wisdom, and compassion guided me to this better way of living. I will be forever grateful.”Karen, Lake Mary, Florida
"Dr. Pete probably saved my life 7 months ago when I came to him in October, 2005. He has a great talent in evaluating problems and making you aware of them. He has helped me turn my life around and helped me see things about myself that I have been able to work on; he also helped me help others. It is the best money I have spent in many years. Thank you for being there for me." Richard A. March, 2006 "Dr. Butkins has been treating me since I was in middle school; later on at 19, (he helped me again) I had to see someone I felt comfortable with. He talks to me like a friend, not a doctor. I choose him over any other (counselor) because I look forward to seeing him; he’s just like one of my own friends. He’s very real, but not in your face;he doesn’t sugarcoat, but he’s very understanding and kind. He will help you make progress through anything and leave you feeling better than when you came in." Jerry K. April 2006 "Dr. Butkins is the best thing that ever happened to me. I would have been dead a long time ago if it were not for him. I drank way too much and wanted to die. He has brought me through a lot; because of him I can handle anything and I love myself today." Janie D. April, 2006
"Dr. Peter Butkins has provided much needed support and direction during emotional turmoil in my life." Ken H. - Longwood, FL April, 2006
"Dr. Butkins is an amazing guy. He has helped me so very much. When I first came to him I was ready to give up on life. With his help and guidance I pulled myself up. I’m now accepting a full paid scholarship to Stetson. Dr. Butkins saved my life. Thanks for everything." Ann A. - Orlando, FL April, 2006
Josh Hamilton remarked that he thought he had his disease beat. This may indicate why he relapsed. His thinking may have been skewed in the sense that he thought he had to overcome the problem as many people believe. Accurate information is found at twelve-step meetings where we learn that we don't beat the disease. We can't beat the game. We surrender to God and He beats the game, i.e., takes away the cravings and helps us to become humble enough to stop trying to win and surrender to a Power that helps us abstain. We can play God all that we want but we can't beat addiction by fighting it. We need ongoing help. This is reality.
Today.com aired a video (1-18-12) regarding Demi Moore's 911 call whereas a friend reported that she was having convulsions. The caller stated that Demi was convulsing, had smoked something similar to incense and had a history of prescription medication abuse and had been in recovery, lost her AA sponsor in September of 2011 and her husband in November of 2011, was aging (49 years old) and had career problems...These were suggested as reasons for the 911 incident.
Nothing was mentioned of the true nature of addiction, if this is addiction. What needs to be the focus of this concern is whether she has a predisposition for addiction and what action can friends take in lieu of 'supporting' her. As hardcore as it sounds, all of this attention, drama and publicity for this behavior usually reinforces the 'using'. "When the enablers stop enabling the addict has a chance to get clean" (Relief for the Family. Butkins, 2012).
P.S. The incense was sprobably spice and spice does not cause convulsions. It is a synthetic product, a combination of herbs and chemicals also known as k2.
What most people don't know about addiction is the fact that there are genetic pre-dispositions for addictions in about one of ten persons. This means that some people can smoke pot recreationally but addicts can't do so safely due to physiology. Addicts will become addicted. They can't stop on their own and they will create much harm to self and others. Normal people will use normally, i.e., on a holiday or 3-4 times a year. Abusers will use often to self-medicate but will stop when there is a problem. Addicts will not stop so readily and will endure much pain and loss and perhaps never quit or want to.
People who tout pot use do not understand that it can cancer, deplete the immune sysyem, affect intellectual functioning, cause amotivation and other damage for the self and family. Addicts, because of the duration and frequency of use, are a target for these symptoms. I dread seeing a parent addicted to pot because I know there are kids who are not getting a fair shot at life. Daddy is loaded and not available on many levels.
It is easy to support pot if you use it once a year. However, be informed. Don't support a product if you do not understand the harm done by your support. You are helping addicts to build their denial system because of your ignorance and self-serving 'stand' on a subject that is fairly complex and better left for discussion by recovering addicts and addictionologists.
Bill Bob Thornton spoke of his lack of opinion on politics last week as he was not that informed. I think he is informed, intelligent and well-spoken. I also think he's making the same point that I am. I admire his humble and balenced message. He see the potential harm that can be done by giving his opinion. As a well like and admired celebrity, he refuses to abuse his power of attraction and chooses to be honest and 'right-sized'. The same is true of addiction. If you haven't been there and recovered or studied the science of addiction, don't lecture or expound on its benign nature. People are hearing you and making decisions on your opinions.
When tolerence builds, the alcoholic can cosume incredible amounts. Alcohol poisoning can occur easily. It was reported that she had future plans and was looking forward to celebrating her 28th birthday. She did not seem to want to harm herself.
An MSN.com article this morning alluded to her desire to fight the disease and win. We have to surrender and stop fighting as we need help from others and not self-will.
We need to be held accountable in order to get sober. Rewarding the aberrant behavior serves to bolster our already overinflated sense of grandiosity. We simply have to become 'right-size' in order to become humble enough to be students of recovery and not the managers.
It doesn't matter if you're a slick movie star abusing your spouse, girlfriend or daughter when you're intoxicated or hungover - It's still abuse. It's not very cute or 'in vogue'.
Steve O. was great. He said it took 100 days of inpatient before he could see that he had a problem. Sometimes we have to be taken from the environment and into a safe and sober one to clear up.
Love and Peace,
Doc Pete, the imperfect therapist
If you are interested in additional counseling by email or telephone
Kudos to him for appearing on national television last Sunday, May 1st and talking about his addiction problem. His openness and straightforward manner was refreshing. This helps us to see that the stigma is based on behaviors of 'lost souls,' alcoholics and addicts who are at end stages and totally out of control. Many people today 'catch' the problem, go to meetings and become their former stable, functioning selves.
Treatment involves 'giving back' so we can remain sober and clean. One way to do this is to help de-stigmatize addiction. It is an equal opportunity disease and addicts and alcoholics do not want it, do not know it's occurring and become powerless over incredible cravings that occur once the substance is ingested. This is not a voluntary action as it is not known to most addicts and alcoholics. It just happens every time. Slowly, over the years, it gets worse until the thinking is warped.
However, once a person is aware of the addiction, he or she is responsible.
This is my Ebook. It's available at http://www.dopetetheimperfecttherapist.com/. In this Ebook I tell you and motivate you to try the methods I have found vital in order to obtain and keep sobriety. There's a special section on recovery 'traps' and how to overcome them.
Love and Peace,
Doc Pete, the imperfect therapist
If you are interested in additional counseling by email or telephone
Dr. Butkins' Blog 
