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: 6/23/2008 Subject: my fiance is addicted to oxycottin
Question Two days before my bridal shower, my fiance admitted he was addicted to oxycottin. So I canceled the shower. Now I am canceling my wedding which is supposed to be this Saturday 6/28/08. He was willing to get help and now he is on suboxine. I thought something was going on for about seven months but he always would tell me he stopped taking his anxiety medicine cold turkey so that is why he was sweating profusely, talking excessively, always looking confused, and constipated. I was dumb and believed him, up until he lost his job and I sat him down and he finally admitted everything. So he lied to me for months. I love him to death and he cries to me for his forgiveness every day and wants to get back with me. I don't want to live my life with him if this is a lifelong disease. (like I keep reading) I really would love to marry him if this problem is fixable. I just would like to know if you know of any success stories and what the best option for him would be. Some doctor put him on suboxine but this is another drug he can get addicted to so I am so confused. Should I marry him??
Answer Hi Danielle, thank you for contacting me.
I am so sorry for what has happened but at the same time relieved that you were able to discover the truth beforehand.
With regard to your question: I know of many success stories, as I myself am one, and have seen many during my 10 years of working in the addiction field. There is one aspect that links all of these stories however.
That is the aspect of a spiritual transformation. I have not seen individuals maintain sobriety for a long period of time, and with a true joy that comes from this lifestyle, without this transformation. There have been studies done on this if you search around and see. The people that do achieve sobriety (w/o a transformation) are not usually fulfilled in life and do not seem to be full of the type of joy that will sustain them through the tough times without relapsing.
The ones that do report some form of a spiritual transformation are the ones that are full of joy and seem to find a new purpose to live for.
