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: 5/17/2008 Subject: In search of finding the right alcoholism treatment for my boyfriend
Question My boyfriend admits he has an alcohol (which leads to drugs) addiction. He will admit he needs to do something about it, but refuses to get help from AA and thinks he can do it by himself sometimes and sometimes will say he needs the help. After trying AA a couple times a few years ago, he says that its not for him and doesn't like the program. He definitely has faith in God, so I even thought about getting support from a Christian Group or something. He wants to start going to church on a regular basis but when he goes on a binge, he's too "sick" to attend because of the days of drinking and drugs. What other programs can I share with him? He keeps saying that he can do it himself if he just stops. He'll go on a health kick for a few weeks and start to look and act like a dream, but then out of the blue sometimes he'll go on a binge. He'll use many excuses of why he's drinking...either because wine will make him feel better when he's sick, or when he's sad about something happening in his life. I've really been trying to hold onto our relationship by being as supportive as I can. My father died from alcoholism and I don't want to see it happen to my boyfriend. When he is sober he is the man of my dreams and I'm hoping to keep that man. But I'm broke, in a LOT of debt, have given into him to things I don't agree with which got myself into a lot of trouble that lowered my own self esteem and I hide his behavior from my family and friends. He can't even keep a job and I can't support him anymore. Soon I have to make a serious life decision about my career (unfortunately I'm dealing with losing my only stability of a job in a few months, not because of him, because I'm losing my dear boss who's battling with an incurable disease) and if he doesn't get the help he needs, I don't know what will happen. Just looking for some suggestions on programs that he will have an interest for and that he would feel comfortable with. I have a very close friend who is a recovering alcoholic that swears by AA, but I guess it only works for certain people. Thanks so much for reading this through. I appreciate any and all advice that I receive. Please keep in mind, I can't afford to pay much for programs but am willing to do whatever I can to help him. Kind regards.
Answer Hi Sharon, the best program is Teen Challenge. Don't let the name fool you - they have adult centers also. The intake fee is moderate, maybe $500, but there is no cost for the one-year program due to the fact that the client works 40 hours while they are there for the program. I myself am a graduate of TC.
They are in over 90 countries and almost in all 50 states. Search online and you will find one in your area to call.
