Relationship Addiction Cycle

Obsession

• Self-focus
• Hurts from the past
• Feelings of abandonment
• Negative emotional state

The Hunt

• Looking for love in all the wrong places
• An available victim
• Well-rehearsed ritual of enticement

Recruitment

• Tricks of the trade
• Submissive nature
• Mating calls

Gratification

• New energy
• Solving another person’s problems
• New attachment
• Instant feeling of relief

Return to Normal

• A new companion
• Feeling of completeness

Justification

• I needed it
• I deserve it
• I had no choice

Blame

• Usually focused on parents first
• Spreads to others

Shame

• Self-pity
• Recognizes attachment to the “wrong person”
• Self-betrayal

Despair

• Feeling trapped
• Over-responsibility

Promises

• “Never again!”
• Focus returns to hurt and pain
• Obsession re-starts addictive cycle