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  1. #1
    C_C's Avatar
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    Default Celebrating Success And Honouring A Beautiful Life

    I am still struggling to accept the news of the tragic, untimely and sudden demise of my personal doctor who played the greatest role in my life to help me get sober.

    When I didn’t know how to overcome my struggles with alcohol, I sought professional medical treatment with this Substance Abuse Specialist doctor at Assunta Hospital here in Malaysia. I underwent an alcohol detoxification treatment that was nearly fatal and miraculouslywith the care and specialist treatment administered by this doctor I regained consciousness and was finally discharged after spending 20days of which almost 10days were in Intensive Care.

    I can never thank him enough for it was this doctor that introduced me to SMART RECOVERY. He put me in touch with our SROL Facilitator, Hatrick who conducts the local Smart meetings here in Kuala Lumpur.

    It was Dr. Philip that I went to for regular routine therapy and treatment to help me achieve my sobriety to-date. It was his recommendation of SMART’s 4-point programme that changed my life forever, having met this community here and attending the meetings that helped me tremendously with 2 years + 2 months and 7 days of complete abstinence from alcohol.

    Our routine appointments now scheduled at 12weeks interval was monumental to inspire me and motivate me to change my behavior. I truly looked forward to our appointments to “check-in” with him on my successes, struggles and triumphs overcoming my urges with alcohol. Oh I will miss my visits so dearly with the next appointment scheduled for January’23. Little did I know that was to be my last appointment with my doctor.

    He set for me achievable targets as I embarked on this life changing journey called recovery to live a life beyond my addictive behaviors. Thank you dear Dr. Philip for all you have done for me, you saved my life!!

    After under his care for a year, my need to stay sober evolved into a “I want to” be sober. He was truly surprised of my decision and helped me continue with my sobriety. I have told him on numerous occasions that this is achievable with SMART Recovery. Yes, SMART empowered me with the “Power of Choice”

    To quote Hatrick:
    He was wise, devoted and compassionate. We have so few people who truly understand addiction in Malaysia. We really can’t afford to lose one. Dr. Philip leaves behind a massive legacy and a huge, huge hole. In our community and in our hearts.”

    E345CFB3-6A3E-48E8-A370-D24CFEF7EB2F.jpg
    PROFESSOR DR PARIKIAL PHILIP GEORGE

    Consultant Psychiatrist & Substance Abuse Psychiatrist

    Prof. Dr Philip George was the Past President of Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society and a committee member of the Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia. His previous appointments include Senior Staff Specialist at the Alcohol & Drug Program at Canberra Hospital and at the ACT Mental Health in Australia. His area of expertise is adult psychiatry and substance abuse.

    ”May your Soul Rest In Peace, dearest Dr. Philip.”

    “Thank you Dr for helping me get Sober with SMART RECOVERY “

    Last edited by C_C; November 26, 2022 at 8:48 PM.
    I used to have an addictive behavior,
    but I choose not to act that way anymore”
    Sobriety gave me Whatever Alcohol promised!

  2. #2
    Gordon1's Avatar
    Gordon1 is offline SMART Message Board Liaison
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    Very sorry to hear of your very personal loss.

    “Rather than be judged by how long I live, it’s a thing I do, and a joy I give.”

    Sounds like he was a beginner of joy!
    What got me sober was TRYING to get sober. Often when I lapsed, picked up, drank, I FELT thoroughly beaten. I thought at that time "there is no hope for me" Yet, when I had recovered from that thought just a little, I thought "I'll have another GO!" It was a few little sparks, rather than a flame, that got me here!

  3. #3

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    My condolences.
    It was an honor to read about the contributions of this Dr. to your life and many others.
    Thank you for sharing about your experiences with him.
    If your ongoing recovery is ever under threat, I would hope that you can use his memory as ultimate inspiration and commitment.
    Very inspiring all the way around.

  4. #4
    Caroline14's Avatar
    Caroline14 is offline Former SMART MB Co-Liaison
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    I am very sorry to hear about the loss of this wonderful person in your life C_C, but I'm pleased that you have acknowledged his work here on this thread - both in terms of his work generally in Malaysia, and also for the work he did with you. There are a few people who touch our lives at very deep levels.... He sounds an outstanding person, who had a strong commitment to humanity. Thank you for sharing this.

  5. #5
    C_C's Avatar
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    Thank you everyone, in his passing I have come to know many that benefitted from the late Dr Philip’s work. It turns out that I am not the only one he had introduced Smart Recovery to, almost all my local smart recovery community participants at some point in their life were treated by him.
    Why am I not surprised, this proves that he did believe that the 4-point programme and the sciences behind SmartRecovery does indeed help people change their addictive behaviors.

    Thank you Dr, May your soul Rest In Peace.
    I used to have an addictive behavior,
    but I choose not to act that way anymore”
    Sobriety gave me Whatever Alcohol promised!

  6. #6
    C_C's Avatar
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    A tribute written by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prem Kumar Chandrasekaran,
    Consultant Neuropsychiatrist
    Head of NeuroBehavioural Medicine Services
    Penang Adventist Hospital, Malaysia
    in the February 2023 issue of the Malaysian Medical Association monthly publication about
    the Late Dr Philip George.
    89278CC6-7A4B-44CD-BA35-0B52BBF790FF.jpg
    may his soul Rest In Peace.
    Last edited by C_C; February 26, 2023 at 9:42 AM.
    I used to have an addictive behavior,
    but I choose not to act that way anymore”
    Sobriety gave me Whatever Alcohol promised!

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