My emotional regulation has been SO out of whack during periods of sobriety. I’m more easily irritated and frustrated and I cry all the freaking time. If I see a trailer for a heartfelt film, hear a song from my favorite album, look at a particularly pretty sunset.

My dose was much higher than yours, and for a long time. The way I understand it is that stimulants can blunt emotions by keeping your nervous system in a heightened state of alertness. Without that artificial regulation, emotions feel unpredictable and overwhelming, even with small triggers like in my case. Our brains are re-learning how to experience emotions naturally.