An article in The Daily Mail earlier this week showcased Claire Catford, an author who struggles with love addiction. She traces the beginnings of her addiction back to her teenage years and describes the escalating desperation and depression that her addiction caused her — the worst of which landed her in a rehab clinic. The article quotes Catford's experience:
"I was with heroin and cocaine addicts in rehab," says Clare, "and I realized that our addictions were fundamentally the same. Our lives were controlled by a chemical and physical need for our drug of choice, and by devastating withdrawal symptoms when that was taken away from us."
Though Catford's descriptions of her physical withdrawal symptoms are akin to those of drug addicts, there's something shocking about hearing someone compare their struggles with relationships to that of a heroin addict. I know that relationship dependency can take on the qualities of an emotional addiction, but whether that's worthy of rehab I'm just not sure. What has your own experience taught you? Is love addiction in these terms real? And if so, is rehab a good move or over the top?
Torrini
Schuh
Marlies Dekkers
Falling in love does release chemicals in your brain that are similar to drugs. So I can buy that you'd become "addicted" to that feeling.
It reminds me of Alanis Morisette's album title: "Supposed former infatuation junkie."
But after reading the article, I think the woman just suffered from incredibly low self-esteem and anxiety.
I do think that she's similar to addicts though, who turn to something outside themselves for a way to feel good about themselves and the world.
1Give me a break.
2Give me a break. Comparing break ups to heavy drug addiction? Please. What a load of it.
3Hmm until there is sustantial evidence that "love Addiction" is real, i highly doubt it was the cause of her feeling the way she did. There are Psychological diseases that I would more than likely assume she had that lead to her believing love was the reason. More likely than not she has a complex of some sort that she should seek help about.
4Real or not, I know a lot of people that could stand to go into relationship rehab.
5avetta, I second that.
6I think that a "love addiction" can be likened to a drug addiction. I mean, you're going through the same patterns of addiction and withdrawal and denial like a physical addiction does. I think rehab works, too. It's therapy...therapy and intervention never hurts anyone.
7I have a friend who is a love addict and goes to therapy, I don't think there is a need for rehab. But addiction is real and it comes in all forms. Why do you think people with broken hearts commit suicide sometimes the withdrawl is to much...
8i actually got diagnosed by my psychiatrist with "love addiction".
9i think addictions are only symptoms, like pop said, of low self-esteem and anxiety
10plasticine - i disagree, because i defo dont have self esteem issues lol. far from it. im amazing. ;]
11wow nice comments and good information.
======================
john
Drug Rehabs
12Coming from someone who has been in recovery from sex and love addiction, and having been with other addicts who suffer from it as well...they have told me that sex and love addiction is the hardest one to get a handle on...including drug and alcohol addiction
13THere are entire facilities, one in GUelph Ontarion that are dedicated to sex and love addiction only, becuase it is so different. Of course low self-esteem is part of it...but that doesnt mean that it cant be an addiction.
Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.