Monday, September 21, 2009

Love Addiction

It is thought that this is the lighter of the addictions but how many crimes are those of passion. When people enter recovery from substance abuse, relationships are often the next tier. The other would be eating disorders.

A love addict defined as; the addiction in which the person becomes addicted to the feeling of love.

It seems that love addiction has been broken up into several categories and this allows one to see where they fit for the best attempt at recovery.

Additional Types of Love Addict

Obsessed, co-dependent, narcissistic, relationship, ambivalent, torch bearers, seductive with holders and romance addicts.

Some Symptoms or Characteristics of Love Addiction;

Difficulty protecting self, setting up boundaries

Sense of worthlessness without a relationship or partner

Feelings that a relationship makes one whole, or more of a man or woman

Strong need to be in control of all situations and those people around you

History of emotional, physical, or sexual trauma

In ability to feel satisfied sexually

Confuse sex with love

Often are living a double life

Relationship hop- goes from one to the next without an emotional break

Living in a les than nurturing home setting when a child nurturing

Sense of isolation from parents and family

Tendency to package relationships from other areas of life

Usually the outsides emotions don’t match the inside emotions

Mistake intensity for intimacy (drama driven relationships)

Depression or other Dual Diagnosis

The symptoms are important markers but the other issues are the feelings that go with the behaviors. Often the addict has feelings that are occurring that mask any ability to connect with their true emotions. What we have yet to discuss is the chemicals that are involved and why it is so with these behaviors and why it becomes addictive.  Guess that’s for next time.

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