Humanity Switch
I don't watch this, but was just with T, who equated things to the Vampire Diaries characters, who have a "humanity switch". When it's on, they feel everything- hurt, love, all the feelings they are experiencing as a result of life. When it's off, they feel nothing--no pain, no highs or lows emotionally. But when they switch it back, they are hit with all of the emotions that have been piling up as a result of all of their experiences. She said it's a big WHAM!
Equating that to addiction, that could be emotionally what it's like to try to step off the alcohol/drug. Can you imagine getting hammered with years of feelings at once? I'm not an addict so don't know.
She did say that the vampires on the show prefer humanity ON, even though it stinks to transition back.
In my case we were discussing the "box of emotions" I set aside to make it through the worst of things. Well over a year post-divorce and there are still a few things in there I haven't been ready to fully "turn back on" and face...so the analogy works pretty well there too. Anyway, thought you might find it interesting!