Addiction Quote by Marya Hornbacher
““I do doubt she ever felt so cluttered and noisy and jangled that she put her boot through the ice. As soon as I did it, I could just hear her saying in alarm, “Well. My stars!” But there are days I do feel that way, and I am beginning to know that it is because I hold on. I fight. I resist. It doesn’t even matter what I resist; there is simply something in me that tends to resist things as they are. I have been fighting since I was very small. And I believe that my addiction was a response, in some measure, to the fact that the fight was futile, and I could not tolerate that fact. I couldn’t tolerate the fact that I did not control the world. I could not, or would not, learn to accept it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Drama of the Gifted Child, 1995
The speaker describes a lifelong habit of resisting reality, feeling trapped by the need to control, and recognizing that addiction can be a coping response to that resistance.
In simple terms: She resists life and feels trapped, leading to addiction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize resistance and practice acceptance.
Themes
psychology
addiction
control
resistance
acceptance
Mood
frustrated
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- stressful workday
- relationship conflict
Key Concepts
self‑defense mechanisms
coping strategies
existential angst
Questions to Reflect On
- What does resisting reality protect you from?
- How can you gently shift from fighting to allowing?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may stem from deeper trauma, not just willpower.
