I understand Peg that you are trying to spare those people who get hurt in the fray when someone leaves PC. I have witnessed it over the years and it has concerned me too but I don't think we can win for loosing on this one. Someone will be hurt no matter which way we go. The 'taking a break' rule seems the best compromise.

For me personally I have elected not to re-engage with people who do that habitually because it does pain me to deal with the emotions that get trigger in me when someone impulsively runs away again and again. I have been drawn into dramas that have been unhealthy and over invested in people in crisis and I won't go there again. I regret that I can't provide those friends support any more but at the end of the day I am here for my recovery and enabling over people to act badly is one of the reasons I got so sick in the first place.

Besides.... what is to stop anyone from coming back as someone new and over time revealing that they were here before. Banning would be impossible even if it were practical. Far be it for us to close the door on anyone who needs support. As members we just need to be aware that anything could happen and to be careful.