Rather than allowing sex and love to foster a sense of bonding or intimacy, a love addict unwittingly finds him or her self anxious, in pain, and afraid of being rejected or alone. They often get caught up in intrigue, flirtation, serial dating or affairs, all in search of the yearned for “right” partner.  Or, alternatively, love addicts sometimes cling to bad relationships, justifying it as better than having to spend time by themselves.

In each of these scenarios, needs are not met and the cycle of desperation deepens.  Over time, the inability to be intimate with others or developing attachments to those who are unavailable for commitment, can erode one’s self-esteem.  The first step toward breaking the cycle is to recognize and admit your addiction — and seek professional help to address the underlying issues.

 Treatment focuses on:

Psychotherapy focuses on learning to identify his or her emotional needs and channel energy used formerly for seduction and intrigue, into self-care, family, work, and hobbies. Developing healthy boundaries and relationships dynamics is another central issue in treatment together with exploration of underlying issues, i.e. early childhood trauma or neglect.