the ragged hole and the Relief-Seeking Missile — "An Alcoholic Is a Relief-Seeking Missile.’…"

The doctrine behind the no-romance rule laid bare: withdrawal leaves "an enormous ragged hole" the newcomer is supposed to feel and be driven kneeward by, and romance offers a "delusive analgesic" that makes the involvees clamp together like covalence-hungry isotopes and substitute each other for the Program. The addict as "Relief-Seeking Missile," and celibacy as the Waterloo that sorts those who Hang from those who Go Back Out There.