Love is a drug because it activates hormones associated with pleasure. Nobody wants to stop feeling that feeling, right? But sadly it happens when love ends.
When you fall in love, your brain produces oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin, the hormones of happiness. Without a doubt, love becomes the cheapest and most wonderful drug because it is produced by our body.
And what happens when love ends? That the harsh reality is very painful.
We all think that we are strong, that we are perfectly capable of quitting “addiction” at any time, of living without that “drug”, but reality lurks and reveals the opposite to us. A romantic breakup generates something similar to the “withdrawal syndrome” that addicts experience when they are quitting the drug. The body asks them to consume again to repeat that sensation of pleasure and the suffering comes because they cannot do it.
The worst thing about love addiction is that we tend to repeat behavior patterns, especially those that hurt us: we repeat types of partners, we take refuge in another toxic relationship, look for the ex who hurt us or we enter and leave relationships. passengers who do not contribute anything to us. We want to love again and that desire is stronger than logic: we let ourselves be carried away by that euphoria that that cocktail of happiness produces in the form of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.
Abstinence syndrome
Maybe, deep down, we know that “that” relationship doesn’t fulfill us but we want to enjoy it “a little more” because we think we are capable of quitting it whenever we want (does that sound familiar to you? That’s what addicts often tell themselves). Well no. What happens is that we are going through love withdrawal syndrome and we have to get through it as best we can.
Live the duel Assume that your relationship is over and, surely, it is the best for both of you. Obviously it will hurt so don’t try to suppress it. Cry, get angry, talk about it, but… stay away from that person because it is necessary to live your grieving process. When we cry, we generate opiates in our body: they are substances that give us a feeling of calm and help us relax.
Pamper yourself Try to eat well and rest. Go out with your friends, do things you like and have as much fun as possible. But be careful, don’t try to pretend that everything is fine and that you are not having a bad time, because it is also counterproductive.
Listen Your friends and family have their own opinion about your “ex” and about the relationship. They may tell you things that you had not wanted to see because you were still under the effects of that “drug” called love.
Close the door Don’t talk to your ex, don’t look for him, don’t answer his calls or messages. Let weeks or months pass, as long as you need to feel strong and regain control of your own life without a partner.
