A recovering prescription-drug addict testified Thursday that he was high on Valium during his first appointment with Bowling Green psychiatrist William E. Thornton, but Thornton apparently never noticed during the five-minute visit. Instead, Thornton prescribed the drugs Lorisette, Soma and Valium for Ricky Watkins. Watkins testimony was part of an administrative hearing to determine the fate of Thorntons medical license. The hearing, expected to end today at Warren County Justice Center, is in response to a 1998 grievance filed by Bowling Green psychiatrist Donald Nassr, who alleged that Thornton inappropriately prescribed medicine to patients with addictions or personality disorders. An investigation into that complaint revealed that Thornton prescribed medicine excessively and an inquiry panel filed a complaint against Thorntons license in June. Lloyd Vest, a Louisville attorney for the state Board of Medical Licensure, concluded interviews with his witnesses Thursday. Lexington attorneys Kevin West and Tonya Conner were to present witnesses for Thorntons defense today.(Thornton) didnt say a whole lot to you when you went in there, Watkins testified Thursday. Watkins said he learned about Thornton from relatives and friends who told him he could describe certain types of pain and get whatever medication he wanted. During that first visit, Watkins vital signs were not checked and Thornton spent more time writing prescriptions for the drugs Watkins requested than he did talking to his patient, Watkins testified. Attorneys for Thornton pointed out that his patients complained of pain before receiving prescription medications. Several witnesses testified that Thorntons office in the 1700 block of Ashley Circle was crowded occasionally standing room only during their weekly visits. It was kind of like time was limited, former patient Linda Proctor testified. Youre supposed to have confidence and feel comfortable with what your doctor prescribed. Thornton prescribed Lorisette, Valium and Soma for her neck and back pain and gave her a coupon for the pharmacy, Proctor said. I got addicted; I liked them, she testified. I think I liked the Lorisettes more than anything. Proctor and other witnesses said they were approached by other Thornton patients in the parking lot of his office or at different pharmacies where they would offer to trade medications or buy leftover dosages. Proctor said she stopped seeing Thornton after she heard that some of his patients had died of overdoses. Witness Autumn Butler described the gradual decline in her mother, Debbie Butler, after Thornton began treating her for chronic abdominal pain. Before she went to Dr. Thornton, she was perfect in every way possible, Autumn Butler said. When she started seeing him, it totally changed. (Her appearance) went from a 10 to a two. All she wanted to do was lay around on the couch. Debbie Butler began having trouble at work and was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants an arrest associated with her addiction to pain medicine, Autumn Butler testified. Debbie Butler, who died in May, went to Thornton to get more medicine the day before her death, Autumn Butler testified.