Clinician’s Corner

May 29, 2018

The Executive Corner is a new weekly feature of the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin. We send our participants forty questions and ask them to choose twenty they would like to answer. It includes a short profile and a link to their website. We hope you enjoy it.

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PROFILE

Dr. George Baxter-Holder grew up on Long Island and got his training in Seattle. He holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duke University and a Masters in Nursing from the University of Washington. He started his own medical practice which focuses on wellness and beauty. Having lived a very colorful life, Dr. George is an Eagle Scout and has been an actor on Star Trek: The Next Generation and has battled drug addiction, criminal convictions, obesity, the IRS, and a Mexican drug cartel. He has been in recovery from drug addiction for many years after serving time on a three year sentence for drug possession. Today, he and his husband Travis live profoundly spiritual and intentional lives studying Religious Science and serving the community in many ways.

Dr. George Baxter-Holder, D.N.P., ARNP, CANS
Skin Spirit Skincare Clinic and Spa

 

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Q. If you are in recovery, what was your DOC and when did you discontinue its use?

A. I don’t believe that I had a choice when I was using drugs and believe that my addiction made me give up that choice, however my preference was for anything that made me go really fast and really high, mostly well made meth. I last used July 7, 2000.

Q. At which of the schools you attended did you learn the most?

A. I learned the most in my Nursing programs. Shoreline Community Colleges was probably the “most” amount of new knowledge learned, however my masters program at University of Washington was when I learned how to be a primary care giver and Duke University Doctor of Nursing Practice is where I learned how to be a leader. Not only in nursing but in the world at large. I learned the most about myself at Duke.

Q. Do you believe leaders are made or born?

A. There is an innate nature of a leader that can truly only be present in the DNA, however circumstances in life can bring this leadership genetics to the forefront. I believe that all of us have within us that leadership gene.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Success for me is measured over time and in terms of ability to deal with life in a graceful manner. Success is not monetary, amounts of friends, or collections of things yet success is the ability to give and receive love.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Great question…I believe in causes; like freedom…freedom from active addiction, freedom from disease, freedom from tyranny, freedom from hunger and thirst. Is there a charity that focuses on Freedom…if not, with an extra million I would start one!

Q. Who was your biggest influence throughout your life?

A. My Mom

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, Living or dead, who would they be? (you can choose 4 if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)

A. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Adam Smith, and Clive Cussler

Q. What is your FAVORITE TV/cable/digital series?

A. Toss up between House of Cards and Scandal…I know, sick right?

Q. What is your FAVORITE Non-fiction book genre?

A. New Thought

Q. What is your FAVORITE Broadway musical/play?

A. Hamilton

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Mostly, for drugs and driving related drug offenses

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, a disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. Addiction is a Dis-ease

Q. What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. The greatest risk that I have ever taken besides getting clean was writing and publishing my book Drugs, Food, Sex and God: An addicted drug dealer goes from convict to doctor through the power of intention.

Q. What is the proudest moment in your life?

A. Marrying my Husband Travis!

Q. Is there a favorite “Quote” you would like to share?

A. “When the drugs go and the addict works the program, wonderful things happen. Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise.”

Q. What prompted you to go into the healing profession?

A. The healing profession of Nursing was not something that I chose. It chose me. The universe aligned and conspired for my benefit and I found myself in Nursing school. Once I was there I found that I had been called into nursing. I was a ER nurse and LOVED it! As my career went on, as did my recovery, I wanted to be more in the prevention then the trenches and I went into health, wellness and now Beauty.

Q. What do you think of the phrase “people are only as sick as their secrets”?

A. When you look in someone’s eyes and get the sense that there is something dark back behind the surface. That is sickness. That is where their secret lives live. When people shed light on those things then the darkness and sickness dissipates and a person can grow and thrive. Until a person can get into acceptance about the many things that they want to keep secret and allow those things to just be a “past” but active part of who they truly are, only then can a person be healthy.

Q. Who would you want to have as a mentor, dead or alive?

A Leonardo DaVinci

Q. Do you think clients in residential rehab should have access to their cell phones, and why?

A. In a limited capacity. I think that Residential Rehab should help shape a person back to common society. None of us should rely on 24/7 access to our cell phones. Disconnection, like rest, is where growth happens.

Q. Who is the most important author in your life?

A. Well, there are many authors who have influenced me, my life, and my own writing; Wayne Dyer, Michael Singer, Marianne Williamson, Joe Dispenza. But the MOST important author in my life is George Baxter-Holder … without whom I would be nothing.