Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships [Paperback]

Susan Peabody (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Love addiction manifests in many forms, from Fatal Attraction-type obsessive lust to less extreme but nonetheless psychologically and emotionally harmful forms. The most common of these is staying in a bad relationship because of a fear of being alone-the "I hate you but don'¬?t leave me" relationship. In ADDICTION TO LOVE, recovering love addict Susan Peabody explains the variety of ways this disorder plays out, from the obsessively doting love addict to the addict who can'¬?t disentangle from an unfulfilling, dead-end relationship. Peabody provides an in-depth and easy-to-follow recovery program for those suffering from this unhealthy and often dangerous addiction and explains how to create a loving, safe, and fulfilling relationship.

A seminal work on unhealthy and obsessive behaviors in love, and how to change behavior to have a positive relationship. This third edition includes a new introduction and revisions to the text throughout.

Some symptoms of love addiction include love at first sight, excessive fantasizing, abnormal jealousy, nagging, and accepting dishonesty.

Even relationships with parents, children, siblings, or friends may be addictive-dependency is not always related to romantic love.

Previous editions have sold more than 40,000 copies."Love addiction is a three-headed serpent that Susan Peabody adeptly slays. This is the quintessential book for any love addict or counselor needing to fully understand this highly prevalent and complex disorder. Susan detects and dissects aspects of this condition not comprehended in other books of its kind. Recovery is possible. This book makes it possible to take the succinct steps necessary toward a loving and reciprocal long-term intimate relationship."-Sudi Scull, M.F.T., C.N., psychotherapist and nutritionist

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

*A seminal work on unhealthy and obsessive behaviors in love, and how to change behavior to have a positive relationship. This third edition includes a new introduction and revisions to the text throughout. *Some symptoms of love addiction include love at first sight, excessive fantasizing, abnormal jealousy, nagging, and accepting dishonesty. *Even relationships with parents, children, siblings, or friends may be addictive dependency is not always related to romantic love.

About the Author

SUSAN PEABODY is an experienced speaker, workshop leader, and author. She has helped thousands of people overcome love addiction. She lives in Berkeley, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; 3rd edition (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587612399
• ISBN-13: 978-1587612398
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Codependency
  • #90 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE ANSWER ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!, July 30, 2010

By 

Toya - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful read for a person who has had a string of unsuccessful relationships and feels that the problem is everyone else! This is a book that will lead anyone to a greater level of maturity and understanding about love and how they love and how the way they love affects others. You really get an understanding of the pattern that is created by an emotional needy person and why they need and crave this love in an unhealthy way. For anyone who is dependant or codependent and may not even realize it, this is a great eye opener that helps you to look at your family history and how you perhaps were not really raised in a household that gave you that attention, validation, and emotional awareness you needed. So now you are an emotionally regressed adult looking for what you did not get growing up in relationships with not only lovers but friends. You are determined to make it work even when its not a good situation to be in. I think this read will bring anyone into self awareness and help them to be aware of others. I had to learn the difference between healthy love and unhealthy love, especially if you got some confusing messages growing up. Some people don't know they are codependant, because they are really successful and independant, people come to them for advice, but get them in a relationhip behind closed doors and the needy weak inner-child comes out. This is a MUST for everyone our society does not focus on this topic enough, however we focus in on the results of love addiction suicide, shopaholics, stalkers, serial daters (no break between relationships), substance abuse, trying to be perfect for love at all costs, people who feel victimized because they keep running into the same type of emotionally unavailable person. It's all in here. Love addicts: After reading this book its important to find things that validate you and make you happy a hobby, exploring talents, something that does not cost money (nothing you can show off about). Some counseling and journaling and you can beat this! Oh and do not forget to evaluate your complete circle and walk away from some friendships, you may even have to distance yourself from unhealthy family members. Don't feel guitly its your life! Enjoy

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening, August 6, 2009

By 

Amanda K. Woolf "Gracie" (OH, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships (Paperback)

This book really helped me realize what I was doing wrong. It opened my eyes to the truth about my love addiction. It gives helpful suggestions that I tried and found success. This is a great book to start with if you find yourself loving someone too much or being too dependent on someone else (in a romantic sense). People need space and this book helps you not only acknowledge that, but it helps you give space to your partner and take some for yourself.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book about Love Addiction, October 9, 2006

By 

Sandra Patrick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships (Paperback)

This is the only book I have found that describes all the different kinds of love addicts. I am a torch bearer, but my last boyfriend was a seductive withholder. God knows what I would have done if I had not read this book and found out what was wrong with me. Books have been written about love addiction since the 80s but this problem only seems to be getting worse among the 20-something crowd. For even more about love addiction go to Susan's website [...]. It will blow your mind to find out how this problem is destroying lives.