Kouri Richins Psychology: Love Bombing & Trauma Bonding Deep Dive | Surviving the Fog Part 1

Part 1 of "Surviving the Fog"—a five-part psychological examination of coercive control patterns, using the Kouri Richins case as a framework.

How did Eric Richins not see what prosecutors allege was happening? $4.5 million in debt. A boyfriend. Allegedly buying fentanyl. All while he thought he had a marriage.

The answer is documented in abuse research: love bombing.

This episode breaks down the psychology:

LOVE BOMBING: The overwhelming early attention that feels like finally being seen. The intensity that feels like fate. These personalities don't stumble into relationships—they select targets, study vulnerabilities, and become exactly what you've been missing.

TRAUMA BONDING: The neuroscience of addiction to a person. Intermittent reinforcement—affection, withdrawal, affection—creates the same dopamine patterns as gambling. You're not weak. Your brain has been hijacked.

THE MASK: The person you fell in love with may have never existed. The early days weren't a phase to get back to. They were a hook.

RED FLAGS THAT LOOK GREEN: Moving fast. Constant contact. The sad backstory. The soulmate narrative. All romantic on the surface. All strategic underneath.

If you felt chosen in a way you never had before—you weren't lucky. You were targeted.

We're not diagnosing Kouri Richins with any condition. We're examining behavioral patterns that prosecutors have alleged and that researchers have documented extensively.

Kouri Richins is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

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