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Doug Thorburn's avatar

The judge inspired in you a need to "try sobriety." Good judge.

I've long said every judge should say to the perp, "The reason you stand in front of me today is because you very likely have the disease of alcohol/other-drug addiction. That means you biologically process the drug in such a way as to cause you to act badly some of the time. So today, you have a choice: stay sober and I will give you clemency/early release/parole/lowered fine. We will test you randomly and regularly for years. Should you fail a test--just once--and all the favors I grant you today will be forever rescinded. I hope you make the right choice and that you never have to see me again." If they said this, there would be far more sober alcoholics and much lower crime, because addicts commit 80%+ of felonies.

However, something I learned from the last four years is a simple extrapolation: if they said this, 80% of the criminal "justice" system would simply go away. Just as the medical industrial complex does not want to see cures, neither does the criminal justice system. They profit--which should be a beautiful word, but when people without integrity are involved, it turns to an ugly one--from the revolving door. (So does the rehab system, since all that's really needed is motivation and a buck a day for a meeting a day, but I digress.)

Good for you, thanking that judge. He did you, those you care about, those who love you and the rest of the world with which you come into contact every day a great favor.

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Andrew Devlin's avatar

I can’t say I disagree with anything you’ve said.

I also should mention that I constantly run into people who entered into recovery only after they were held accountable for their actions. I also know people who died, including one of my sons, after not being held accountable then continuing on with their reckless ways.

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Doug Thorburn's avatar

During my research I found that sobriety was always preceded by being held accountable, with consequences or credible threats of same. Always. Dig deep enough and you will find there are no exceptions.

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Andrew Devlin's avatar

One of the first comments someone made today at a meeting was that handcuffs changed his life for the better!

I chimed in on my last night of drinking that also ended with handcuffs.

They serve their purpose when applied appropriately!

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Doug Thorburn's avatar

They sure do!

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