TRAPPED in TOXIC LOVE | From DESPERATION to LIBERATION, Breaking FREE from ADDICTION.
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Show Notes
In this episode, our guest dives deep into the struggles of love addiction, toxic relationships, and the powerful journey of finding self-worth and faith. A lifelong battle with manipulation and dependency, she shares how seeking fulfillment in others led her down a path of heartbreak and despair.
Childhood and Early Life
Growing up in a seemingly stable home, our guest didn’t realize how the lack of emotional support would shape her adult relationships. She vividly recalls how she sought validation from others, feeling unloved and unworthy deep down. These feelings would later manifest into a dependency on toxic relationships.
First Encounter with Behavioral Addiction
The first time she truly felt alive was in the arms of someone who didn’t value her. It wasn’t about love; it was about control, manipulation, and a desperate need to be needed. This marked the beginning of her love addiction, where she constantly sought out partners who were just as broken, believing she could fix them.
Active Behavioral Addiction
Her life spiraled as she continued to seek out relationships that mirrored her inner turmoil. Every partner was a project, a way to distract herself from her own pain. She became obsessed with making them happy, believing that if they were happy, she would be too. But the consequences were devastating. She lost herself completely, her self-worth tied to the happiness of others.
Hitting Bottom
The lowest point came when she realized that the man she was trying to save was destroying her. She was trapped in a cycle of emotional abuse, believing that if she just tried harder, things would change. But they didn’t. It was only when she reached out for help, admitting that she couldn’t do it alone, that things began to shift. She started to see the damage she was doing to herself and those around her.
Getting Help
Getting help was a painful and slow process. She started with Al-Anon and then moved to Celebrate Recovery, where she began to understand the roots of her addiction. The realization that she was trying to fill a void only God could fill was a turning point. Through therapy, group meetings, and a renewed connection with her faith, she began to rebuild her life. She learned to set boundaries, to value herself, and to stop seeking validation from others.
Life Today
Today, she is a woman of strength, independence, and deep faith. She no longer seeks out relationships to fill her void but instead finds fulfillment in her connection with God and in her own self-worth. Her life is a testament to the power of recovery, and she hopes her story will inspire others to break free from the chains of addiction and find true happiness within themselves.
FAQs
What is love addiction?
Love addiction is an unhealthy dependency on relationships where one's self-worth is tied to the happiness of the partner.
How can I recognize if I’m in a toxic relationship?
If you feel controlled, manipulated, or constantly responsible for your partner’s happiness, it could be toxic.
What are healthy boundaries in a relationship?
Healthy boundaries are limits you set for yourself and others that protect your well-being and personal values.
How does faith play a role in recovery from love addiction?
Faith can provide strength, purpose, and a sense of self-worth that helps in overcoming the dependency on others.
What steps can I take to start healing from a love addiction?
Seeking therapy, joining support groups like Al-Anon, and reconnecting with your faith are crucial first steps.
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