AboutDerek Johnson Expertise Any behavior in which you are compelled to engage in when you do not want to can lead to an addiction.
Experience I offer counseling (http://www.kasamba.com/derek-johnson) of all types -drugs, alcohol, sexual, anger, depression, co-dependency, anxiety, grief, stress, eating disorders, distortions of thought, compulsions, mood disorders, controlling behaviors, inferiority, marriage and family, motivation, life coaching, relapse prevention and recovery counseling- from an eclectic approach.
My abilities are being refined daily by supervising a counseling center that offers counseling to 120 clients. I have 10 years of direct care in all counseling arenas. I also have 2 years experience working with the mentally handicapped. Additionally, I have 2 years experience in Marriage and Family relationship issues. I have personally and unfortunately experienced sexual abuse, a suicide attempt and many addictions. This gives me a unique perspective in helping others.
Organizations Teen Challenge of Florida Florida Certification Board International Society for Mental Health Online International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
Education/Credentials Certified Mental Health Professional # 50190 (MA)/ Certified Addiction Professional #3279 (MA) / Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology / Internationally Certified Counselor #24570 / Certified by the Florida Certification Board / Certified by International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium / NET Institute Diploma for Counseling and Addiction Studies.
Expert: Derek Johnson Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: My ex-husband/boyfriend
Question My husband and I divorced about 5 years ago after 8 years of marriage due to his drinking and drug issues. We got back together about a year and a half ago. Things are good for the first few months then the heavy drinking starts again, we just got back together late last year after a 4 month separation due to the same issue. And once again things were good the first few months, then once again the heavy drinking began and it's been going down every since, I have tried to confront him but he states that he doesn't have a problem. Hr has slacked up compared to 2 months ago, but he barley eats so it takes less beer to get him loaded. Hr is very abusive with words once you ask him where he's been, due to when he leaves work it's hours before he gets home. I love him dearly and have also wanted to help him through this, but we have two teenage kids and it's effecting them alot. They want nothing to do with him due to his drinking and awful words that comes out of his month. He blames me for his drinking, he blames me saying I have turned the kids against him, I get blamed for everything. I want to help him, but he will not admit that he has a problem. Please help me, how can I get him the help he needs. I'm afraid he's going to kill hisself drinking and driving or an innocent person. He's took so alot out of me, I no longer feel good about myself due to all the names he calls me, and the acts as though I don't exist. But like I said I do love him and it hurts me so much to see what he's doing to hisself and our family.
Answer Hi Diane, thank you for contacting me.
I am not sure there is anything you can do at this point to help him. He has to want to change. He has to want to be a loving and caring husband. He has to want to be a positive example for his kids. From what you describe it does not sound like he wants any of this more than the alcohol.
He does have a choice in the matter. The fact that he is able to clean up and abstain for periods demonstrate the fact that it is his choice to continue in the addiction.
He cannot be forced to want anything more than the alcohol. You have a hard and serious choice to make at this point.
