Dear Amy: About 10 years ago, I very briefly dated someone who was 15 years younger than me — I was 38 and he was 23.
The age difference bothered me from the beginning, and I told him repeatedly that I didn't want to date because of it. I was dealing with suicidal depression, was unable to work and didn't want to date anyone.
He persisted for months. He texted and called daily, showed up at my house uninvited and made his case through mutual friends. He even had his parents call me to tell me that they approved.
He eventually wore me down We dated for about two months. We had nothing in common. He and his friends were heavy drinkers and drug users, and my depression worsened.
Ultimately, I ended it (kindly). It shouldn't have been a surprise to him. The entire time we dated, I told him — and all my friends and family — that I was uncomfortable with the age difference and with dating anyone at that time.
My health improved, and I moved about 1,000 miles away. We haven't been in touch for 10 years.
Recently, he contacted me on social media and said his therapist is suggesting there had been an inappropriate power imbalance because of the age difference and that he had been unable to consent.
I haven't responded. I am alarmed because it's not accurate.
I work in the media now and am a little worried about being canceled. But I'm more concerned that he feels this way. Should I respond?
Amy says: No, you should not respond. Taking at face value the details as you describe them, being in touch with this man would be like pressing "go" for a person who previously violated reasonable boundaries, engaged in behavior that sounds like stalking and who seems capable of overall relentlessness.
You state that you were not working at the time of your relationship, so I conclude that you were not his superior at work. He was 23 — over the age of consent. The 15-year-age difference is immaterial.
It seems reasonable for a therapist to suggest that there was a power imbalance between you two, because many failed relationships are the result of a power imbalance.
Don't apologize for participating in a very brief relationship that you broke off. Preserve any communication between you two.
Most of us have regrets from choices we made in our early 20s. You can hope that his therapy leads to insight instead of allegations.
Too much God talk
Dear Amy: What should I do for an alcoholic friend who will not go to treatment because she has been there before and they just preach religion?
She is not religious at all. Are there any resources for alcoholics that don't preach religion?
Amy says: As world-changing as the "12-step" model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous has been, some people are turned off by references to "a higher power."
Many programs inspired by the success of AA have adopted some of these basic truths and techniques, but have removed any religious references.
Aaagnostica.org is an extremely helpful resource for anyone looking for a non-religious recovery program. The site features a comprehensive list of books, blogs, essays and a database of secular recovery programs — all pointed toward people like your friend.
Especially helpful is their "collection of alternative 12-steps," which offers secular interpretations of AA's 12-steps.
Your friend might be using her resistance to religion as a reason to avoid any recovery program, but you could certainly help her by pointing her toward the many secular options available.
Send questions to Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com.
