Doug Thorburn - Background

Background

In his books, Thorburn argues that although an alcoholic may drink alcoholically for years or decades before he or she becomes an obvious drunk, early-stage alcoholism can be detected by destructive behavior alone. Once detected, Thorburn argues, alcoholics can be avoided or convinced (via disenabling) to undergo treatment. Thorburn departs from the traditional definition of alcoholism as requiring loss of control over use. He states that this is a late-stage symptom and argues for a redefinition of alcoholism as a loss of control over behaviors, in particular destructive ones that can be associated with use.

In his fourth book, Alcoholism Myths and Realities: Removing the Stigma of Society's Most Destructive Disease, Thorburn states that identification of alcoholism is hampered by the social stigma of the disease. Commonly perceiving alcoholism as weakness, people resist applying the label to specific individuals.

Thorburn's ideas are consistent with the disease model of alcoholism, but with some variance. Thorburn has stated:

• Alcoholism is a genetic disease and thus is the cause, rather than the effect, of its associated symptoms. Most similar experts argue that, therefore, alcoholics can never learn to drink in moderation and total sobriety is necessary for treatment. While Thorburn largely agrees, he asserts that many alcoholics can control their drinking for extended periods and that it is more accurate to state that alcoholics cannot, in the long run, drink without acting badly.
• Rather than passively waiting for the alcoholic to "hit bottom" on his own, we should take steps to ensure an alcoholic feels as many of the painful consequences of his behavior as possible. This includes cutting off all financial and emotional support, communicating his problem to other friends and relatives, and getting a DUI conviction. He argues that until every person in the addict's life stops protecting him from logical consequences (in other words, stops enabling), we greatly reduce the odds of permanent sobriety.
• Alcoholism can mimic many personality disorders, including schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and Narcissistic personality disorder. In this case, therapy for the disorder only treats symptoms and often provides excuses for the addict to continue drinking, or even drink more.
• 80% to 90% of incarcerated prisoners have alcoholism or other drug addiction. Thorburn is an advocate of treating the underlying cause of most criminal activity, alcoholism, by requiring abstinence in those who have proven to society they cannot safely use alcohol or other pharmacological drugs, whether legal or not. He also advocates ending the war on drugs so that society can focus its resources on those who cause problems for others: addicts. He also states a belief that after a period of sobriety many alcoholics and addicts will return to proper behavior. Thus, Thorburn argues that the goal of the criminal justice system should be to inspire in the addict a need to get and stay sober, providing the means and support to do so.