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
Woody Harrelson was on the Jimmy Kimmel last night joking about not remembering that his child was at college due to being memory-impaired. This is typical of Hollywood adolescent thinking. He doesn't know or seem to care about accurate information about marijuana use. A new study strongly suggests that many pot smokers have few consequences if any and another classification of pot smokers experience psychosis and paranoia. This is not a drug to 'make light of'. The 'cute little boy' attitude is really a detriment to drug awareness and eradication of such a threat to our nation as well as many others. I experienced pleurisy, a faulty immune system leading to annual bronchitia and walking pneumonia as well as Barret's esophugus and sheer apathy. I think that addicts have the latter reaction while normal people can use this drug without the life-threatening hazards (with the exception of cancer).
If anything, this country's citizens should promote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.
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.
A teenager can easily fall into a state of denial and minimization of the problems associated with drug and alcohol 'use', especially marijuans use. It is easy to deny the problem unless the family helps with realistic thinking. When the family shuns drug use it becomes unfavorable to the family.
I think it's ok to say you're concerned 'about your drinking (and/or drug use)" as long as it's with a caring tone. Then let it be. Give the person time to process your comment. Don't avoid him or her afterwards. Be a friend unless he or she tells you to go away. Try not to convince or persuade or push the person to get sober. No one likes to be pressured and most people retreat further into their complusion.
If you are concerned about the intervention, get help.
However, 'Just Say Something.' Say it after investigating the "ins and outs" of an intervention. Read, rehearse, recite the script.
On the other hand, if you are a very confident person who is well respected and perhaps invited to talk about the drinking or drug abuse, just say something from the heart, with caring and firmly.
If you are overly afraid or angry or feel guilty, see paragraph 1 (above).
I do not have a child who uses drugs or alcohol. I do not know why parents enable children who use.
I think it because of lack of information, accurate information, about chemical depoendence. I also believe that parents enbable because of fear of the substance and the disease. Many think that it will 'go away' if they ignore it. Moreover, many parents think that, if they focus on this too much, it will get worse because the child will use more due to a rebellious nature. Or is it because of guilt. Are the parents using or is some other adult in the house using? Or are the parents not in charge of the house anymore? Are the kids holding the parents hostage? Do the parents fear their children's rejection? Do the parents feel bad, guilty, about the divorce or the fighting, or the lack of money. Whatever the reason or excuse, parent strongly. Find out your reason for not setting boundaries or enforcing rules. Join with your partner or former partner and parent as a team. What child can overpower two adults? Go to war and win. But learn the tools of warfare. Find out what others have done. It is not that difficult. Ignoring the problem or avoiding it because your spouse is drinking is not the solution. It is the problem. Go where others are that have arrested this problem. Go to Alanon and meet others who have the solution. Find a meeting that suits you and become a member. You'll thank me down the road. Hang in there. We love you.
Sometimes it seems that we are not getting anywhere. Keep trying to develop spiritually. Go back to whatever you were not doing. Pray, help, meditate, apologize, pay the money back, correct the lie... Keep trying to advance. Remember, we have years and years of beating ourselves up, expecting self-centered perfection.
God does not demand perfection. This would put Him out of work.
