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
Who knows what damage is done by the effects of THC being dispersed in the synapses of the brain? We do know that it does interfere with the messages sent from neurotransmitter to neurotransmitter. Thinking is definitely affected. Combine this with the inability to process feelings and we get an emoter who is numb much of the time and gets number to become anesthetized from the feelings that have built. There is really no accurate way to measure feelings. Therefore, we cannot account for the emotional state of a pot addict accurately.
However, I do know that the apathy and lack of clarity as well as the inability to process anger, hurt, guilt and fear explains a state whereas work is not valued and the contribution to society is not an issue. This may explain the person who thinks that the world owes him a living and feels no guilt and also righteously defends his position to the max with no concern for others or society. A person in this state with power is dangerous.
Remember when you were a child and could create your own etch a sketch by writing and then erasing. Well, we can do the same thing in real life. Sober, we can create a safe and sane productive life and keep creating better and better etch a sketchs each day.
Love and peace,
Docpete, the imperfect therapist
P.S. No drugs or alcohol today and that includes "wacky weed".
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.
My friend is a leader, powerful beyonf power. My friend has the strength of ten. He is a real man. He does not talk about his talents. He tries to get along with the rage and the contempt and the power and the masks and the repression and the storms. He covers up in his own way, trying to be God and not knowing that there is love and peace without the cover, the smoke and the mirrors. He is the real deal, my friend. He is a real man, smoke and all. What a power he has been given. I hope I can help him use it.
Simply put, marijuana interferes with the brain transmitters that we rely on for thoughts and reason. Marijuana takes away the ability to think clearly. And clarity is the vehicle to the soul.
Oh, yeah. Pot also depletes the immune system and makes one apathetic. It also cause lung damage and cancer. It takes away the strength to heal.
This drug makes us slaves and weakens us incredibly. We need not be 'cowards at the act of living.' We can face our inferior feelings, our sadness, guilt, anger and fears. We can turn towards these and not hide under the ruse of getting "mellow". It is getting fried that I'm afraid of. Feelings casnnot hurt me when I share them. If I act out on them because they have become magnified, they can be very dangerous.
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.
I believe that, in order to recover, we must place control in another's hands. It is there anyway. We get much control back when the anxiety of trying to control leaves. Even Albert Einstein had to concede that he could not juxtapose the planets and that there must be a Creative Intelligence. He studied gravity long enough to know that he could not look at WHY but had to look at HOW. I can't know why I am not floating in the air in Orlando and the Empire State building is not either so far away. I can't figure this out. Neither could my friend Darryl. By ourselves, our tiny brains cannot fathom the universe (or much else). No amount of marijuana or other product can help me figure this out either.
Surrender to win. It breeds joy, relaxation and relief.
Smokey is a burn out who call our show weekly. You can hear us on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on http://www.oldskool101.com/. The call in number is (888) 860-0157. Call us and give an opinion or just say hi. We look forward to your calls and need them to find out what you want for a recovery station. Whta are your interests? What do you think would be a good topic(s) for our show? Call us. We'd love to hear from you.
We need your opinion on marijuana. Smokey calls but can't produce a coherent thought. What has been your experience with pot? We need to know. Maybe we can influence others who still think it's a great idea to smoke 'wacky weed.'
Dr. Butkins' Blog 
