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 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.”
The AMAZING negative response:
“Yet again, a rape victim is being blamed for the crime committed against her.
Consider this:
If a *male* had had sex a few times the days before he was raped, no one would consider his prior sexual activities even a factor in his rape. (The post-sexual activity of the Kobe Byrant accuser is still in dispute.)
How, oh HOW can you say this woman is a sex addict??? Even if she is, does that mean sex addicts cannot be raped??? How could you POSSIBLY intimate that?? . . . or that she deserved to be raped?? . . . or that she lied??
I do not understand why you did not stick to the plethora of topics on which there is copious EVIDENCE. Especially for your first newsletter. This could have gone to countless universities and colleges in the Northwest.
I shall unsubscribe to this newsletter. I have no need to read a self-appointed judge-and-jury expounding with omnicience when NO ONE has the facts yet . . . just what has been “leaked” (intentionally, in my opinion, to discredit a hero’s accuser before a trial could be conducted).”
-Kathy, Ph.D.
I wrote her a response (edited from the original):
The best estimate among Drug Recognition Expert cops interviewed while researching my books on the percentage of false accusations in cases of “rape” is around 50%. I DO think this COULD be one of those instances. While I had to limit the facts presented due to time/space/interest limitations and selected that which I felt most pertinent, there is a MOUNTAIN of evidence leaked by the press that she is a full-blown addict. What you seemed to have missed is that addicts lie, cheat, steal and manipulate, in which case she SHOULD be discredited. If you do not understand that, you DON’T get the idea behind addiction, whatever your credentials.
Contrary to your assertions, I certainly would consider the pre- and post-sexual activities of a male “victim.” Despite your claim, I did NOT “call” her a “sex addict.” I identified her as a likely alcohol/other drug addict, which, among numerous manifestations in terms of behaviors, often results in sexual compulsions. I did NOT say she could not be or was not raped (or that she DESERVED it???!!!); I am questioning whether it is possible to KNOW this barring other evidence, since, if she’s an addict, she WILL lie, cheat, steal and manipulate. The case, which seems to be hinging on “he said/she said,”should be thrown out of court.
BTW, I’ll mention something here that I removed from the original draft in the interest of keeping the Thorburn Addiction Letter to a manageable size. If called for jury duty, I would question the veracity of ANYONE in whom I identify likely alcoholism. This particularly includes those making accusations, including law enforcers.