The Trinity

 Integrative Holistic Medicine & Counseling Services LLC

What is Love addiction 

Love addiction, characterized by an overwhelming and compulsive longing for love, attention, and affection from others, is a behavioral pattern that can significantly impact individuals' lives. While not officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), understanding its prevalence and associated factors is crucial for effective treatment and support.


Love Addiction also known as Relationship addiction, occurs when one individual develops an overwhelming and obsessive attachment to another person, often leading to a harmful dynamic for both individuals involved. Those with relationship addiction typically find themselves in short, intense romantic engagements. If they maintain a long-term relationship, it is often marked by emotional turbulence, swinging between extreme highs and lows. In some cases, individuals with love addiction may choose to completely distance themselves from romantic or sexual connections to avoid the emotional vulnerability they fear.

Love Addiction Screening

When Love becomes Toxic

When Love  addiction becomes harmful, it turns into a compulsive and distressing disorder that not only affects the individual struggling with it but also the person they fixate on. People with relationship addiction often devote excessive time and energy to romantic connections — whether they're actively in one, searching for the next, or deliberately avoiding relationships. The roots of  Love addiction are frequently tied to unresolved childhood trauma. Individuals who lack self-worth or experienced inadequate nurturing in their formative years may seek constant validation from others as a way to fill the emotional void. Additionally, those with relationship addiction often crave the excitement and emotional rush that comes from being "in love.

Toxic Relationship Screening


Understanding the Signs and Seeking Help


Relationship addiction is a condition characterized by an obsessive and compulsive need for romantic or sexual relationships. Individuals struggling with relationship addiction often exhibit behaviors that stem from a deep emotional need for connection, approval, and validation. Recognizing the traits of relationship addiction can be the first step toward seeking the right help and support.



Recognizing the common traits of relationship addiction is the first step toward healing and breaking free from unhealthy patterns. If you or someone you know exhibits these traits, it may be time to consider seeking professional help. Therapy and support groups designed for relationship addiction can provide the necessary tools to establish healthy relationship dynamics, build self-esteem, and foster emotional independence.


Relationship Attachment Screening

Common Traits of Individuals with Relationship Addiction:

  • Inflated Sense of Responsibility for Others' Actions

    Individuals with relationship addiction often take on an exaggerated sense of responsibility for the actions and emotions of their partners. This can lead to unhealthy 

  • Going Above and Beyond Regularly

    There’s a constant need to please or go beyond what is expected in relationships, even if it comes at the expense of personal well-being. This pattern can lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

  • Feeling Hurt When Others Fail to Acknowledge Efforts

     Individuals with relationship addiction often feel unappreciated or hurt when their efforts go unrecognized, which can reinforce a cycle of seeking external validation in their relationships.

  • Unhealthy Reliance on Romantic Relationships

    These individuals tend to depend on romantic relationships to feel complete or validated. Without a partner, they may experience feelings of emptiness or inadequacy.

  • Strong Need for Approval and Recognition

     There’s a constant need for approval and validation from others, particularly in romantic relationships. This can drive compulsive behaviors to gain attention or affection.

  • Guilt When Asserting Personal Needs or Boundaries

    Individuals with relationship addiction often feel guilty or selfish when asserting personal needs or setting healthy boundaries, leading to a pattern of self-sacrifice.

  • Deep Desire to Control Situations or Relationships

    A person with relationship addiction may attempt to control their partner or the relationship dynamic, often out of fear of abandonment or loss of connection.

  • Lack of Trust in Themselves or Others

    There is often a lack of trust, both in themselves and in their partner. This may manifest in excessive jealousy, possessiveness, or fear of betrayal.

  • Constant Fear of Abandonment or Being Alone

    Individuals with relationship addiction fear being alone or abandoned. This fear can lead to unhealthy attachments and a reluctance to let go of toxic relationships..

  • Difficulty in Identifying and Expressing Emotions

    Many individuals with relationship addiction struggle to identify or express their true emotions, often relying on their partner to validate their feelings or define their emotional state..

  • Struggles with Intimacy and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries

     Maintaining emotional intimacy and setting healthy boundaries can be difficult. People with relationship addiction often blur the lines between love and dependency, leading to unhealthy dynamics.

  • Challenges with Making Decisions

    A tendency to feel indecisive or unsure about major life choices, particularly those related to relationships, is common. This indecisiveness stems from a fear of making the "wrong" choice, often driven by an inability to trust themselves.

Our Approach to Relationship Addiction

People struggling with relationship addiction often have low self-esteem and rely on external validation to feel better about themselves. They may not know how to simply "be themselves" and might engage in compulsive behaviors, such as indiscriminate sexual activity, to cope with their emotions. Relationship addiction is frequently linked to unresolved issues from childhood.


 At The Trinity Integrative Holistic Medicine & Counseling Services, our treatment approach goes beyond just addressing the harmful behaviors in the present. We delve into the past, exploring childhood experiences and how they connect to current destructive patterns. By identifying these root causes, we help our patients take meaningful steps toward building healthy, fulfilling relationships

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Prevalence and Demographics

General Population:

 Estimates suggest that between 3% and 6% of the general adult population may experience love addiction. However, studies report widely varying prevalence rates, ranging from 3% to 26%.


Gender Differences:

 Some studies indicate that women may be more susceptible to love addiction, though findings are inconsistent. A comprehensive review by Sussman et al. (2011) noted that a high percentage of those exposed to this addiction are in the female population.


Age:

Love addiction can manifest at any age. Individuals may begin experiencing obsessive thoughts and behaviors related to love during adolescence or adulthood. However, specific age-related data is limited.


Mental Health Comorbidities

Love addiction often co-occurs with various mental health disorders, including:


  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Personality Disorder


Personality Disorders

A study from Anglia Ruskin University found that 38% of individuals with love addiction had eating disorders, 26% had compulsive spending habits, 43% had drug addiction, and 5% had uncontrollable gambling behaviors.


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