Repressed memory syndrome and alcoholism
I sent the following email to Elizabeth Loftus, a psychologist who investigates and has mostly debunked “recovered memories,” particularly of abuse. The LA Times article referred to was the Column One piece by Maura Dolan of June 21, 2005.
Hi Ms. Loftus,
I just read the LA Times article on your work in the Nicole Taus case. It took the Times’ writer 49 paragraphs, but she finally mentioned alcoholism. False accusations are commonly used by addicts in an effort to wield power over others, which in turn is intended to shore up the ego. Since alcoholism is at the root of most power-seeking misbehaviors, the affliction in the father should have been stated at the outset. Oh well, we have a ways to go in re-education.
I can’t believe I hadn’t, until now, run into the two books you wrote with Kathy Ketcham. How much of a link, if any, between repressed memory and alcoholism did the two of you make in those books? I will, of course, have to purchase them, but I figured I could get advanced notice from a like-minded thinker.
Several years ago, I tried getting Mark Pendergrast’s attention to this connection and failed. I sent him my first book (“Drunks, Drugs & Debits”); to the best of my knowledge, he hasn’t read it. In it, I mention the McMartin pre-school trial under “dishonesty” as a clue to alcoholism and “false accusations” as another clue, under a discussion of the numerous behavioral indications of alcoholism exhibited by actress Bette Davis.
I am very interested in confirming alcoholism in those who’ve written books supporting the idea that memories can be “recovered.” While I realize not all such writers may be alcohol (or other drug) addicts, I strongly suspect a disproportionately high percentage are. I suspect the same of those who “recover” such memories and those who “coach” others into “remembering.”