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What we treat

Love Addiction & Attachment Disorder

Love off balance can be dangerous—especially for women. Love addiction is associated with the feeling of being in love which can trigger compulsive behavior. Sometimes the feelings are so intense they are described as cravings, just like the description of being without a drink or a drug, and the behavior can become destructive and dangerous. While the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) recognizes compulsive disorders, it doesn’t recognize all the behaviors, like love addiction.

 

 

When a person becomes reliant on their person of interest, in hopes that the other person will complete them, it can create an overwhelming fantasy and heighten the addiction. The need to feel completed by another person may be a sign it’s time for attachment disorders treatment. Love addicts attract love avoidant partners—some say this can stem from childhood trauma. The addict lacks emotional boundaries and has difficulty thinking for themselves, while the avoidant tends to be emotionally unavailable. The common denominator for these two is their deep fear of abandonment. Like oil and water, these relationships ultimately turn chaotic in nature.

 

 

Love addiction can change from one ‘relationship’ to another—one can be an avoidant in one relationship and an addict in another. Remember, the root is the same fear of abandonment. Also keep in mind one bad relationship doesn’t qualify you as an addict or avoidant, it can just mean it was a bad relationship. However, if there is a pattern and if the behaviors listed seem familiar, please keep reading;

  • Highly sexual to please partner
  • Volatile or violent relationships
  • Anxious when not with the person
  • In and out of relationships, always chasing
  • Seem to be attracted to unavailable people
  • Have sex hoping they will love you
  • Will give up personal responsibilities for partner
  • Go back to volatile unavailable partners
  • Bored in a calm committed relationship
  • Can go long periods uninvolved in relationship
  • Stay in bad relationships hoping the other will change
  • Need to constantly be in a relationship

What Psychologist Say About Attachment Disorders Treatment and Love Addiction

 

Some psychologists suggest that the actual addiction, stemming from the attachment disorder, is a way that people with love addiction have learned (believe it or not) to feel good. Most believe the lack of attachment as children give the addict no sense of normal—once they get a taste of the “feel good” chemicals naturally produced in the brain when they fall in love, norepinephrine and dopamine, they’re hooked. This is also why love addiction and disordered eating (which can also produce the same chemicals) are linked to drug and alcohol addiction. When the natural high isn’t enough, the effect can be manufactured by a drink or a drug.

How We Do It: Attachment Disorder Treatment Options

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the main modality used to treat love addiction. CBT focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to challenge distorted cognitions and change destructive patterns of behavior.

Trauma Informed Therapy is a specific approach to therapy that recognizes and emphasizes understanding how the traumatic experience impacts a child’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Love Addiction Anonymous (LAA) unique women’s only twelve step approach.

outdoor furniture for therapeutic attachment disorders treatment time with recovery is a process

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Casa Capri Recovery

Our program offers the highest quality care for women struggling with addiction and co-occurring conditions in Southern California.

We are fully licensed by the State of California and our treatment center is accredited by The Joint Commission – the standard of excellence in quality programs.

 

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Casa Capri Recovery is proud to be an approved Anthem Blue Cross, MHN, Aetna, The Holman Group, and Halcyon Provider.

AFFILIATIONS:

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License#300326BP Expiration Date: 06/30/2024 Certification#300326EP Expiration Date: 01/31/2024
NAATP Provider Member
As Featured on A&E® Intervention

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one has a substance addiction, please give us a call today at 949-535-4998. It’s time to heal your heart and find true happiness. Our admissions team is always available to talk and answer any questions you may have about our Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs at Casa Capri Recovery for women.