Overheard in Recovery - Passion

One of the things people in early recovery are often told is that they need to be cautious of extreme emotions- being really UP or really DOWN. Addicts and alcoholics have craved those extremes as the reasons for drinking or what they hope to have happen as a result of their drinking. It soon reaches the point where the only emotions one can feel are the extremes, say rage instead of anger; ecstasy instead of joy.

In addition in early recovery the emotions are often bouncing all over the place. Just stopping whatever substances were being used will let things jump all over the place. This too is dangerous since we are not used to such swings.

So one evening I heard a question being asked.

With all this talk of remaining calm and not going to extremes, will I lose my passion for things?

I was struck immediately because true passion- caring deeply about things- is important. Recovery isn't about being dull or apathetic or boring. Recovery is about being "happy, joyous and free" as the Big Book says. Passion is not an extreme emotion. Passion is at the heart of enjoying life and caring for and about others.

The problem is that we have so misused and abused the idea of "passion" that it has taken on these erotic or extreme meanings. Suddenly it feels like something we need to avoid. Which of course we do if we see it as an extreme. But when we feel passionate about something or someone we are more likely to respond positively. Passion is not lust or extremism. Passion is deeply caring.

It used to be that Jesus' death was referred to as The Passion of Christ which of course is the title of the Mel Gibson film. While Gibson may have exaggerated the actions and made it more extreme in its violence and anger (or at least that's my take) Jesus' passion is not something to be avoided. It is an example of passion at its best.

Yes, I know it can be misused, too. We humans can take just about anything good and misapply and twist it to fit our human frailties. But that doesn't make it bad.

So in recovery passion- a passion for life- is one of the things we are looking for. Don't become an extremist, find balance and meaning, but don't lose passion. It's far too important.