This interview was on our local news this morning and I was fascinated!
Here's my paraphrasing:
Women often become addicted due to relationships. They are trying to avoid conflict, don't want to feel anxious, and are trying to avoid emotional pain. She goes on, of course, to talk about the genetics of addiction and that ALL women do not fit into this category.
We all have a story, even if it doesn't end in addiction. I think of my battle with anxiety. I remember taking some kind of morphine after my tonsillectomy in 2004. I was in SO much pain, and don't think I could have made it without pain meds.
A time came when the pain lessened, but I still had some morphine left. I remember a day when there was intense conflict with the family. Suddenly, as I swallowed, I convinced myself I was feeling discomfort. The morphine was there for me.
I recall the calm flowing through my body and the intense fear of conflict fading away. I remember such a place of happiness and peace. This happened several times, and then the meds were gone.
My story ends without addiction. I am grateful that my genetics are such that I was fine (although admittedly bummed) when the morphine was gone.
But I'll tell ya - I can SO understand how that feeling that comes along with narcotics can become a best friend: that feeling that everything is going to be ok, that feeling that the conflict isn't the end of the world, that feeling that you can breathe and the mind slows down for just a short time.
What this experience did for me was to give me empathy for women whose genetics are different. My heart breaks for women whose story doesn't end this way as well as for those who are experiencing emotional pain without relief. I'm hoping we can start a thread here to share our experiences. So, what's your story?
Love & Hugs 😘🤗