Myth #7: Recovery and Intense Emotions

Decoding Nine Myths About Recovery

In my Quit Lit novel, Stay Sober and Save the World the Cave Woman Way, Cave Woman and Sylvia (or Sil) develop an epistolary relationship with each other. The letter writing continues, as you’ll see below.

Myth #7 Emotions are too intense to overcome addiction

Dear Cave Woman,

Are emotions too overwhelming to give up addiction?

Modern humans can learn about the amazing ways emotions inform, inspire, and help extend their vision of what's possible. Everyone can use a good distraction now and again. Not all distractions are destructive. 

You sure are fond of emotions. 

They give life depth and color. Emotions are the painter’s paints, the kickboxers moves, the cook’s spices—

Yeah, yeah, I know and million other things. Sorry, I guess I’m feeling a bit impatient right now. 

Anger helps you set healthy perimeters. Do you need to stop for today?

Yes, I think I do. You mentioned kickboxing, which sounds good right now. I don’t know the first thing about kickboxing, but I could --

Do some shadow kickboxing?

Yeah, bust up some invisible foes.

Physical expression of –

I know, I know. Later, okay.

Of course, my surly stoat.