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
The sound of enabling has come to sports over the past twenty years or so. Pot, steroids, alcohol, cocaine - they're all prevalent in most sports. Just read the newspapers, magazines, internet and listen to the news. It's a daily occurence for a sports figure to be arrested for a problem related to drug and/or alcohol abuse. And these are the ones who make it in spite of continued use. The ones who don't make it due to drug and/or alcohol use are seldom mentioned because they are not 'today's news'. However, their lives are ruined because their coaches, atheletic directors did not say anything, usually for personal reasons. Injuries occur more often, coaches and managers, fans, society... cover it up for one reason or another.
Let's bring back the humbler, more fan-oriented event instead of the arrogant, more self-absorbed game that is based on individual vanity and proccupation with self. Let's reinforce and support the team player who still exists today. Let's get behind the athelete and their coaches who still care about others and 'higher levels' of sports and life.
The addict is sick not bad whether he is on skid row or front row. We need to help the person, not by turning the other way and ignoring the signs and symptoms but by caring enough to hold the person accountable. Just like we need to hold our children as responsible for their actions, we need to stop harming our boys by helping them believe that they are better than others.
We cannot find peace without peace of mind. We must let go of the past, knowing full well that we have been influenced by our disease. We are responsible for our behavior, past and present. I use this knowledge to realize that, if I drink again, I will do the same things I did when I drank before. It is inevitable. This is the first step. I AM powerless. I return to the past and it becomes my present. This motivates me to continue to do what I do each day to stay sober and clean. I do not do the things that create guilt and shame. This frees up energy to be happy. It is simple because I am no longer drug-affected. This is the path. Cocaine and marijuana and alcohol and speed and opium and meth and whatever all lead to this state. However, for the alcoholic/addict, it unfortunately leads to slow and sometimes speedy destructive.
If we think too much, we risk the possibility of trying to control our lives and that of others. God gave a great minds. Use the mind wisely to help self and others through God. Be a channel and not a life force.
Love and peace,
Docpete, the imperfect therapist
PS Oh yeah, don't drink or drug today. Cocaine, marijuans, speed, opiates, hallucinogens and other mind-a;tering chemicals are not for human beings.
There is a phenomenon called anhedonia that occurs after prolonged cocaine addiction. This means that the "user" cannot experience pleasure anymore. Being sober is no fun. There is no pleasure. This is what drugs do to you. They do nothing for you if you are an addict.
Tune into www.oldskool101.com next Tuesday from 6-7 P.M. for Addiction Radio's Christmas show. Instead of getting high on alcohol, cocaine or opiates tune in and see what reality can be during the holidays. We're going to be fielding telephone calls at 1(888)860-0157. Call with thoughts, opinions and ideas about how to stay sober and clean for the holidays and how to enjoy them.
What warms my heart this Christmas is to see so many of us stay sober and clean. I don't know if there are more doing so or that I am seeing it more. Either way, it's a wonderful thing to witness. 'To see a fellowship grow up around you...' What a joy!
Have a way to keep up with your program. Reading this blog is a great way to stay focused on a recovery/spiritual path. My blogs are aimed at a recovery measage with encouragement and inspiration for the recovering person. Whether you are recovering from alcohol, cocaine, opiate, opium, narcotics, amphetamine, marijuana, hallucinogen dependence or addiction to another person, my blogs are written with you in mind, the recovering person. I know that this is important and I gladly share what I know, all that I know, in the hope that you also stay sober and clean for the day. I welcome your comments and input so that we can further this goal and make this sight the best it can be. I want this site to be effective as a means to bettering your sobriety/clean time.