Karl Benzio
MD
Psychiatrist
Doylestown, USA
Answers questions in Addiction Treatment · Addictions · Alcohol Rehab
About Karl Benzio
God has blessed me to take my unique spiritual curriculum and philosophy to very troubled areas in Iraq, Uganda, Kenya, and Katrina relief efforts. i've given expert testimony to the President's Bioethics Committee, US Congress, and PA State Congress helping clarify controversial issues. i have played a powerful part in God transforming people's lives. But, i am a recovering alcoholic, actually addicted to control, and have been in jail for 6 counts of aggravated assault on police officers as well as other charges, all in the midst of medical school. So i have been on both ends of the treatment process, giving me a unique perspective. Now, i am thankful, but back then, i thought my life was over, until God made Himself, His grace, and His plan for me very clear to me while i was in jail. Otherwise, i am happily married to a woman who loves me unconditionally that i don't deserve and i have 3 great girls age 19,16, and 11. i love sports and believe everyone can get better because God's peace and grace are available for anyone, no matter how "bad" we are, because He was there for me.
What I do
I am a psychiatrist, have a small but busy private practice, but founded and run a nonprofit organization, Lighthouse Network. We help people all over the country get addiction and mental health care. we also develop curriculum and resources for treatment programming and self growth. a unique and significant focus of our materials is the practical Christian perspective we bring that "heals the broken hearted and sets the captive free." it is a calling for us and we are blessed to be able to honor God with our service to those who need help.
My story
God has blessed me to take my unique spiritual curriculum and philosophy to very troubled areas in Iraq, Uganda, Kenya, and Katrina relief efforts. i've given expert testimony to the President's Bioethics Committee, US Congress, and PA State Congress helping clarify controversial issues. i have played a powerful part in God transforming people's lives. But, i am a recovering alcoholic, actually addicted to control, and have been in jail for 6 counts of aggravated assault on police officers as well as other charges, all in the midst of medical school. So i have been on both ends of the treatment process, giving me a unique perspective. Now, i am thankful, but back then, i thought my life was over, until God made Himself, His grace, and His plan for me very clear to me while i was in jail. Otherwise, i am happily married to a woman who loves me unconditionally that i don't deserve and i have 3 great girls age 19,16, and 11. i love sports and believe everyone can get better because God's peace and grace are available for anyone, no matter how "bad" we are, because He was there for me.
Why life is worth living
God has blessed me with so much, that out of gratitude, i want to serve Him with all i got, every day!.
Treatment Offered
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Answered Questions(13)
Marijuana Affects Brain Cells
I quit smoking marijuana 9 days ago. I had been a long time heavy user but decided to quit because my wife is now pregnant and it was time to get serious about my life and get prepared for being a father and not a kid anymore. I have had this kind of stoner short term memory loss going on for a long time but I always thought it was just because I was high every day. But now that I have not smoked for more than a week my memory does not seem to be getting any better. Does marijuana cause permanent memory loss? I smoked a lot every day for almost 10 years. I am worried about this because I expected to be feeling a little sharper by now. I have blamed the weed for a long time for my brain lapses and I am scared now that it’s not just the weed but that I might have actual brain damage.
Read answer →Holistic Tips for Transitioning off Painkillers
I take 2m Xanax everyday to help me with panic attacks (have them often) and have been on them for at least 4 years. Now, however, I am about to start taking Suboxone to help with my withdrawl symptoms from getting off of pain killers. My body is so dependent on the Xanax because I cannot sleep with out them. Is it safe to take the Suboxone and Xanax in one day? Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Read answer →Getting Started in the Addiction Field
HI, I am a student intern and would like to know if you know of any treatment centers here in Nevada that are qualified to supervise student interns? I am in the final phase of my MS in Psychology at this point. Any suggests if you don't know of any place I can look?
Read answer →Hepatitis C options do not include Marijuana!
I just found out that I have hepatitis c. Is it ok for me to still smoke marijuana? I am pretty worried about my health now and I want to start living clean but I am having trouble giving up smoking, alcohol and weed all at the same time. I would like to give up alcohol and cigarettes first and then once I am Ok with that move on to give up marijuana.
Read answer →Why aren't we all Alcoholics?
I heard a speaker at a conference talking about addiction and he was talking about a substance called THIQ. He said this substance was produced in the brain and it was the most addictive substance known to man. If that were so why isent everyone addicted.
Read answer →Self-Medicating with Alcohol and Xanax
I have GAD and panic disorder. I have been self medicating for a while with alcohol and Xanax and sometimes with opiates and things are getting kind of out of control for me and I’m not really sure how to stop and the biggest problem is the drugs aren’t really doing what they’re supposed to anymore. Actually, the biggest problem is that I know I need some help but I am not very comfortable in hospitals or clinics at the moment and I am not sure I can really handle that scene so it looks like I’m going to have to do this myself., which of course is impossible because as soon as I try to cut out the Xanax I’m in panic city and nothing is worse than that…so what do I do?
Read answer →Xanax Withdrawal / Detox
Ive been trying to detox from xanax i was at 3.0 a day i am now at 1.25 it has been very hard. i get pains in my stomach and a funny feeling in my head at times, is there any thing i can do to ease my withdraw symptoms.
Read answer →Helping a retired gambler
My mother retired last year and started spending a lot of time at the casino playing slots. She tries to hide how much she plays and how much she is losing from me and my sister but it is pretty obvious that she’s got a big problem but she totally denies it and she seems ready to blow through her retirement savings in the next few months without much of a plan for after that, as far as I can see. What can I do to get her to see how bad this is getting?
Read answer →Heroin treatment
If someone is hooked on heroin, do you feel a treatment time away of 30 days is enough time to heal them?
Read answer →Depression Types and Treatment
Are there different kinds of depression? Is medication necessary to treat depression?
Read answer →Recovering Addicts Working in the Addiction Field
Do recovering addicts make good leaders for a drug rehab?
Read answer →Brain Chemistry
Some studies seem to indicate a need for Brain chemistry change to have long lasting change. Is this true?
Read answer →I suspect my teenage son has been drinking and smoking pot.
Who should I call for my son? He is 19 and drinking and smoking pot. I don't know what do. Do you have any resources you recommend? I need to get him some help. Thanks for your advice.
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