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 bottom is a perception that is personal yet common. It must be kept alive through constant and vigilant attention. It must be specific and it must be easily retrievable.
The main focus of recovery is abstinence. The goal is to first know, believe and strengthen/deepen your "truth". The truth is that we can no longer control, moderate or change our addiction and that, when we "use", we have problems, serious problems. Writing down the specific problems will help us to 'know' this truth at a deep level. If we want to "use" later on we can know at a deep level that we will have a problem and perhaps die.
Do you have a checklist, a list of strengths and weaknesses? You can create one by writing down your daily program and seeing if you have included a recovery contact, morning and evening prayer and meditation, sponsor affiliation, stepwork, trigger avoidance, seeking a Higher Power daily, adapting the steps and traditions to your daily life... Study your program and make sure your 'recovery fit.' After all, you want to stay sober and clean, right?
Initially and immediately, once you are out of denial, write the problems that resulted from using. Get help with this. Take the project on as seriously as a heart attack.
After delving into the steps we can now see our defects and not focus on the defects of others. This is a gift. Then we realize that we can, with God's help, remove some of these defects. Now we can stay sober.
Unconditional Love was a phrase coined by Carl Rogers back in 1951 in a book called On Becoming A Person. After years of experience, he rescinded the "condition" and claimed that people could not love unconditionally.
At first, I believe that, for most, it is done to stay sober and clean. After we have done our twelfth step, many people "give away" their experience, strength and hope unconditionally. We are guided to practice our unconditional love by Dr. Bob when he states four reasons for giving away our program for free. We eventually are shaped to practice 'virtue for virtue's sake.' We give it away and care for others because it is the right thing to do. We don't have to do this. It is the path to serenity, however.