Archive for August, 2004
Jeanne Wright, in a column published August 25 '04 in the L.A. Times ("When the fun stops in summer," in the Highway 1 section), writes that a spokesman from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that highway fatalities from DUIs are increasing because "a new generation...hasn't heard the message or just doesn't care" on the dangers of drinking and driving. My response:
Since efforts began 25 years ago to educate and tighten the laws on DUIs, the number of fatalities initially went down because the educating taught non-alcoholics that drinking and driving is dangerous. When non-addicts stopped engaging in this misbehavior, only alcoholics (and other-drug addicts) were left. Alcoholics do not respond to educational campaigns because, as recovering addicts tell ...
Suze Orman opposes bailouts–but misses the addiction link
Oprah Magazine carries an excellent column by financial guru Suze Orman. It's rare that I agree with financial advice offered by other experts, but Suze is an exception. While I have a tough time watching her on TV (she's a bit animated for my tastes), her suggestions are generally sound.
Her column in the September issue of Oprah is no exception, except for what could be a fatal omission. The inquiry involves a daughter who racked up $10,000 in credit card debt, student loans for college courses that go unfinished and recently unemployed ("lost her job"), now behind on all her obligations. Here's my comment:
Dear Editor,
Suze Orman is right-on in advising that the parents of the 18-year-old daughter who racked ...
Oprah’s Satellite Sisters
The current (September 2004) issue of Oprah includes a column by Radio's Satellite Sisters, who are asked whether they should squeal on a friend's 15-year-old daughter caught drinking beer in a Quikstop parking lot with her buddies. My response:
While the sisters offered correct advice in suggesting that the 15-year-old drinking beer in the parking lot with her buddies be busted, your advice squad omitted one crucial consideration: that she may have already triggered early-stage alcoholism.
This is an essential point because if she is a budding young alcoholic, no amount of threats, cajoling or arguments will change her behavior without uncompromising tough love and coerced abstinence.
Anyone who doubts that she may be an alcoholic at such a tender age ...
Do sexual indiscretions excuse rape?
Catherine writes:
I was distressed to read yourdiscussion of the Kobe Bryant trial. You are trying to make others aware of how alcohol or other drugs may affect the judgement of others but in doing so you made some huge assumptions.
I am not assuming that he is guilty, but neither do I assume she was not assaulted. Many women are raped when under the influence. Being drunk or loaded does not give another person the right to sexually abuse you. And, her lack of sexual discretion is neither a predictor nor an exclusionary factor for assault.
Being irresponsible, lax or loaded does not give anyone the right to use you sexually.
Additionally, California law says the victim of a sexual assault is ...
Venezuela and Chavez
This my response to a Venezuelan friend/resident, who asked me if I'd observed direct evidence of Chavez' likely alcoholism:
I have found nothing about Chavez directly. I have confirmed that most megalomaniac tyrants have been alcohol or other drug addicts. Addiction to psychotropic drugs (those capable of causing distortions of perception and memory in susceptible individuals) causes egomania. The reason for this is a key distortion that all alcoholics experience, one that makes them think that everything they do or say during a drinking episode is good and right, nothing bad or wrong. In other words, it makes them view everything they do/say in a self-favoring light. If you are always right and never wrong, you must be God.
This seems to ...
Investment scams
A recent purchaser of my books and tape wrote that he was defrauded of "big bucks" by an addict in the oil and gas industry. He now realizes that addiction seems pervasive in the business and would like to sell my books on his web site in a quest to warn other investors about this phenomena. He has already warned his children by gifting them my works. Here's my response:
You have discovered an overlooked area in which addicts wield power over others. Yes, Charles Ponzi was an alcoholic. I strongly suspect that many if not most of those in industry convicted of defrauding others are driven by alcoholism. Kozlowski of Tyco and Barry Minkow of ZZZZ Best are just two ...
Comments, pro and con, on the first issue of the Thorburn Addiction Report
Already subscribed, already received, already read and already forwarded to my wife, an addictions counselor. Good publication, keep up the good work!
And, Jan informs me that since she is such a believer in early intervention, she has just ordered all 3 of your books. I look forward to reading them as well.
Don
Great newsletter, Doug. Excellent read.
BobP
What a great letter!
Marty K.
Thank you for being such a helpful person and for your newsletter.
Fred
And now, the one out of five who just doesn't get it, proving that even "professionals"(whatever the PhD behind the name means) don't "get"the idea behind addiction. But first, the FIRST paragraph in the FIRST issue of the NEW Thorburn Addiction Report, to which she responded:
"Stating that ...
Disability is no impediment to alcoholism
AUGUST 2004
Amazing Antics: Stories of Alcoholism-Driven Behaviors
Disability " or not " is no impediment to alcoholism
Story from This is True by Randy Cassingham, with "tagline:â€
"BACK SEAT DRIVER: Michael Johnston, 47, of Peachtree City, GA, allegedly had too much to drink and thought it might be best if he didn't drive. So he had his friend Samuel McClain, 35, drive his golf cart for him; golf carts are common around Peachtree City. Johnston, police say, gave McClain directions while McClain drove. McClain's guide dog was along for the ride too -- McClain is blind. The s werving duo managed to make it for about two miles before crashing into a parked car. Both men were charged with reckless conduct. (Atlanta ...
Addict Don Simpson, Producer, a euphemized life
AUGUST 2004
Alcoholic Myth-of-the-Month
There are countless myths about alcoholism. When I began writing my upcoming book, "Myths and Realities of Alcoholism: Removing the Stigma from Mankind's Most Destructive Disease," I figured I'd come up with a few dozen myths. I had to stop at over 100. The problem with myths is that they often lead to stigma, serving to reduce the odds of its identification in others. Unidentified disease cannot be treated, and without treatment, tragedy will inevitably occur. Therefore, the myths desperately need discrediting. The tragedy of movie producer Don Simpson was one of those that might have been prevented if close persons had identified addiction as the root of practically all his other problems"and if those persons had forcefully ...
Dear Doug: Workplace Bullies
AUGUST 2004
Dear Doug,
I was bullied by two co-workers for several years in my office, which serves law enforcement. The co-workers threw objects at me, slammed doors in my face, "accidentally"ran into me on many occasions and stole personal items. Management refused to take the necessary action to end the abuse. Deciding enough was enough, I took early retirement. I can't imagine why anyone would engage is such juvenile behavior. I've had a difficult time recovering emotionally. While I don't think they should permanently get away with abusing others, I don't look forward to waging a legal battle. What should I do?
--Abused
. . . . . .
Dear Abused,
Other columnists might only ask if these co-workers think ...
The Count of Monte Cristo
AUGUST 2004
The Count of Monte Cristo
This month's movie fits right in with the Kobe trial: the 2001 version of "The Count of Monte Cristo,"with magnificent performances by Guy Pierce as Fernand Mandego and Jim Caviezel (Christ in "The Passion of the Christâ€) playing Edmund Dantes, who later becomes the Count of Monte Cristo.
The story is billed as one of revenge. Yet the more important aspect is alcoholic egomania, taking form in betrayal and false accusations, embedded in a great movie.
As with Al Pacino's portrayal of Lt. Col. Frank Slade in "Scent of a Woman,"most viewers didn't pay attention to or remember the alcoholism. Yet, when you rent the movie this weekend, it will seem obvious. From the beginning, ...
August 2004 Thorburn Addiction Report
Accuser's sex life will be fair game at Bryant's assault trial
Top Story: Stating that the credibility of the accuser was a factor in the Kobe Bryant case, the judge ruled July 23 that her sexual escapades (my term) during the week preceding the alleged rape can be used against her. The likelihood of multiple sex partners immediately before (and, apparently, after) the event is an excellent clue to addiction because wielding such sexual power can be very ego-inflating. A false accusation would fit right in with the profile.
False accusations are common to alcohol and other drug addicts and decidedly uncommon among non-addicts. In a classic case, Charles Whitman, District Attorney of New York, framed police lieutenant Charles Becker ...
If Kobe’s accuser is alcoholic, should we believe her?
AUGUST 2004
Accuser's sex life will be fair game at Bryant's assault trial
Stating that the credibility of the accuser was a factor in the Kobe Bryant case, the judge ruled July 23 that her sexual escapades (my term) during the week preceding the alleged rape can be used against her. The likelihood of multiple sex partners immediately before (and, apparently, after) the event is an excellent clue to addiction because wielding such sexual power can be very ego-inflating. A false accusation would fit right in with the profile.
False accusations are common to alcohol and other drug addicts and decidedly uncommon among non-addicts. In a classic case, Charles Whitman, District Attorney of New York, framed police lieutenant Charles Becker for ...