Addicted to a Person – When Love Turns into Withdrawal
Some breakups hurt more than others.
Not because the love was deeper — but because it became an addiction.
You wake up and the first thing you think of is them.
You scroll, hoping to see a sign.
You replay old conversations like an addict chasing a hit — one more message, one more memory, one more illusion of closeness.
The brain doesn’t always know the difference between love and dependency.
Dopamine, oxytocin, and all those beautiful chemicals that make us feel alive in love — they don’t just disappear when the person leaves. They keep firing, searching for a stimulus that’s gone.
And that’s when love turns into withdrawal.
You know it’s toxic. You know it’s over.
But still, your body aches for their presence.
You feel restless, dizzy, even physically ill without them.
You tell yourself, “Just one more message… one more chance…”
But every time you give in, you fall deeper — like chasing a drug that only gives shorter highs and longer pain.
Healing begins the moment you stop feeding the addiction.
It’s brutal at first — silence feels unbearable.
But slowly, you begin to detox. You breathe again. You remember who you are without them.
Real love frees you.
Addiction traps you.
Know the difference — and choose yourself.
Upvoted! Thank you for supporting witness @jswit.
@thevpnboss, this post hit me hard! The analogy of love as an addiction is so powerful and painfully accurate. The way you break down the science behind the withdrawal symptoms and the craving for "one more hit" really resonates. It's a topic rarely discussed with such clarity and vulnerability.
What I appreciate most is that you don't just identify the problem; you also offer a glimpse of hope for healing and self-discovery. That final reminder – "Real love frees you. Addiction traps you. Know the difference – and choose yourself" – is incredibly impactful.
This is a must-read for anyone struggling with a breakup or codependency. Thank you for sharing such a insightful perspective! I'm curious, have you found any specific strategies particularly helpful during your own detox process? Let's open up this conversation and help others find their way to freedom!