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Dr. John Álvarez

Not weakness. Strategy.

Published 13 days ago • 2 min read

The Tension between Pain + Peace

Hey, Reader

I’m not a flower guy. But these two red poppies—paper-thin, growing out of dry, cracked ground—stopped me in my tracks. They don't belong here. And that makes them really stand out. So I took a photo.

I remember in elementary school we would recite, "In Flanders Fields", and stand in silence to respect and remember the fallen soldiers. To me now, the image of red poppies growing on battlefields represents sacrifice, bloodshed, and bravery.

Writers, poets, even therapists — they’ve all used poppies to stand for dreams, mystery, and the stuff we don’t say out loud. Poppies represent the unconscious (dreams, altered states), mystery and impermanence, the fleeting beauty of life.

In addiction medicine, we think of the opium poppy and associate it with heroin, morphine and codeine. This gives the poppy another dual symbolism: both pain relief and dependence, healing and danger. And because poppies often grow in such disturbed soil, they also remind us of the potential for rebirth and resilience—life emerging from destruction and chaos.

Due to their sedative properties, poppies also symbolize eternal sleep, dreams, and the thin veil between life and death. The poppy scene from the Wizard of Oz makes this point perfectly. The Wicked Witch tries to derail Dorothy and her friends from their mission, lulling them to sleep and hoping they forget their purpose.

Some of the movies that come to mind with the poppy or opiate theme I’ve enjoyed are: A Thin Red Line, Air America, Inception, and Trainspotting (I don’t recommend this last one if your DOC is heroin!).

🎥 Name a movie you think is relevant to this discussion or comment on my selection, reply away…

👀 The Wizard Of Oz (1939): Poppies (4:08)

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Highlight

Thank you for your replies last week sharing what your stress is telling you. Here is an insightful highlight shared with permission:

"Good morning, Dr. John. One super helpful thing I found was the Social media detox, I put my mind to it yesterday and stayed off my phone screen and went to a cousins wedding to mindfully spent the entire day reconnecting with my amazing family.

I've got to say I have never thought about stress yet Ive felt the effects of it for so long. For the lesson of stress speaking to me id have to say it sounds like:

  1. Hurry up for Christ's sakes you should have left earlier.
  2. Oh my god you dripped Coffee on your shirt what a slob, no wonder nobody wants to be seen with you.
  3. If you are late to the mill you will end up preloaded in the morning and miss a load so the Boss will be pissed and think about finding another driver.
  4. Theres my neighbor and he looks cranky I wonder if he's mad at how a few of my grass clipping blew onto his driveway again.

kucstemc (thank you)"

This Week’s Question

What happens when you let yourself feel something, without shutting down? When you stay present instead of numbing out?

The work isn’t picking strength over softness — it’s learning how to hold both. Leaning in or out depending on the situation. Not weakness. Strategy. So what happens when you just shut’er down… well basically the same thing as when you hold in a fart💨 too long - it finds another way to get your attention!!

🔒 The Cost of Holding It In Too Long:

  • Constant tension in your body
  • Flat, muted emotions
  • Sudden outbursts when it finally leaks out
  • Distance in your relationships
  • Low energy and motivation
  • Poor sleep
  • Headaches, gut issues, or illness
  • Quiet isolation
  • Stuck in indecision
  • Numbing through work, porn, alcohol, or scrolling

✊🏽 Reply with one strategy that has been working for you to surf 🏄🏽‍♂️ the emotional rollercoaster🎢

Wishing you a decent rest of the day and a great weekend ahead, Reader!

👉 If you’re carrying more than you’re letting on and need to unburden yourself let’s talk — zero pressure. You don’t need to have the words figured out — just a place to start.

Dr. John Álvarez

👀 View My Bio​

⭐️ Thank You For Your Review​

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Photo Credit: Poppies @ the centre

Dr. John Álvarez

MD MA RCC CGP PATGC

Men's health, meaning + microdosing. Sign up to receive my weekly update and Q & A.

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