<\/p>\n
Adolescence is a time when hormonal This particular adolescent can be vulnerable due to the havoc of a parent’s divorce and the feeling The relationship can serve as a way to numb out and to help cope with all of the adolescent’s un-resolved issues. It is an Unlike a healthy relationship This leaves a love addict vulnerable to It is imperative parents Sherry Gaba, LCSW, is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Recovery and Life coach and the author of “The Law of Sobriety: Attracting Positive Energy for a Powerful Recovery.” Sherry can be reached at sherry@sgabatherapy.com to learn more about her psychotherapy and life\/recovery coaching, up-coming teleseminars, speaking engagements, workshops, and conferences. Sherry’s new 7 lesson instant down load “How to Attract Positive Energy for a Purposeful Recovery” is available at: <\/p>\n htttp:\/\/thelawofsobriety.com\/how-to-attract-positive-energy\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Adolescence is a time when hormonal levels spike and infatuations can easily develop. However, at times these infatuations can turn into what is termed a “love addiction,” and it doesn’t just happen to adults. Love addiction is being in an un-healthy relationship as a way for a troubled teen to cope with feelings of loneliness,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,5,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-12-steps","category-aa","category-addiction","category-law-of-attraction"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nlevels spike and infatuations can easily develop. <\/span>However, at times these infatuations can turn
\ninto what is termed a “love addiction,” and it doesn’t just happen to adults.
\n<\/span>Love addiction is being in an un-healthy relationship as a way for a
\ntroubled teen to cope with feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem,
\nneglect, abandonment, and a way to fulfill un-met needs from an earlier developmental
\nstage. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nof being invisible at home. <\/span>However, this is also
\na time when adolescents are breaking away from their families of origin and
\ndeveloping autonomy, individuality, and social skills. <\/span>However, not having the safety and security
\nof a home environment can leave an adolescent feeling lost and susceptible to
\npeer pressure, promiscuity, drug or alcohol addiction, co-dependency, and a
\nharmful addiction to a relationship.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nattempt to find something on the outside to fix the un-bearable emotional pain and
\ndiscomfort of growing up in an un-healthy family or feeling ostracized from
\ntheir peers. By grabbing onto a very intense relationship they begin to feel whole and
\nfulfilled, and it is un-bearable to imagine life without this other person. <\/span>It is as if this other person represents the
\nfix and euphoria drugs bring to the addict.
\n<\/span>It has also been shown that there are chemical changes in the brain of a
\nlove addict. <\/span>These fused relationships
\nare a way to satisfy a thirst for security and a sense of belonging and losing
\nthis love object is seen as excruciating. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nwhere there are boundaries, trust, and a feeling of security and safety, the
\nlove addict’s relationship is filled with obsession, jealousy, possessiveness,
\nintense anxiety, and a feeling of always wanting more and never having enough
\nof their love object’s attention. <\/span>The
\nadrenalin rush of these relationships causes intense withdrawal symptoms when
\nthe relationship ends just like the dope fiend who needs his drugs. <\/span>They are in continuous search for that next
\nhigh replacing healthy intimacy with an un-healthy need for another
\nrelationship to make them feel whole. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nstaying in relationships at any costs even if it is abusive and can jeopardize their
\nsafety and security. <\/span> <\/span>If an adolescents falls prey to these types
\nof harmful relationships this can lead to a pattern of needy and clingy attachments in their adult relationships. <\/span>In addition, they may not
\nonly continue to be love addicts, but may use other anesthetizing <\/span>behaviors such as drug and alcohol addictions,
\neating disorders, self-mutilation, and\/or other risky sexual behavior to avoid
\nthe discomfort they feel in their own skin. <\/span><\/p>\n
\ncommunicate with <\/span>their teens about these
\nissues, as well as values and beliefs related to sexuality, healthy\/un-healthy
\nrelationships, boundaries, be good role models, <\/span>and seek professional help if necessary. <\/span>Parents need to be aware of the <\/span>warning signs of an adolescent suffering from
\na love addiction and place close attention to their <\/span>behaviors and if anything seems to be out of
\nthe ordinary, not to go into denial, but to face the problem head on. <\/span><\/p>\n