With booze or drugs there is no control; it's only deadening them as you put so rightly. Real control comes only when a conscious effort is made to refuse to let the emotions get the better of us. It takes tremendous willpower and a considerable time, to achieve it, but the result is long-lasting, if not permanent.
I admire that. I have yet to achieve it. Control of emotions. I just let them play out because there is no way to stop reacting as I do emotionally. Intellectually I can talk myself into and out of anything I want to do. But emotionally? Fuggeddaboutit! I am repelled instantly. I abhor immediately. I despise repeatedly. I have to confess I have no wish to like the current occupant of the White House. I wouldn't lift a finger to like anything about him. I get disgusted often these days. I find so many things puzzling peculiar absurd ridiculous unbelievable unimaginable deplorable reprehensible. SIGH. It is tiring. Than you for your reply WT and Happy Sunday to thee! :)
Benedict Arnold 