15 Major Signs You are Addicted To Relationships

Being addicted to relationships is neither romantic nor healthy. In fact, it’s just like any other addiction—it may give you temporary satisfaction but ultimately leaves you feeling empty.

You might not realize it yet, but love and relationship addiction is quite similar to addictions like drugs, alcohol, or even exercise—none of them end well. While it might feel good in the beginning, don’t be deceived—any addiction can cause harm in the long run.

A relationship might make you smile and lift your spirits, but a bad one can make you cry, scream, and chip away at your self-esteem. If you keep returning to the relationship despite the pain, it could be a sign of addiction.

And just like any addiction, breaking free is no easy task.

If you think you’re addicted to relationships and want to escape this toxic cycle, keep reading—we’ll guide you through it.

When you’re addicted to relationships, things usually aren’t balanced. A healthy relationship allows you to maintain other aspects of your life, like friendships, work, and family. But if you're a relationship addict, you often find yourself in turbulent situations—those on-again, off-again relationships that resemble the highs and lows of gambling or drug use. This is what makes toxic relationships so addictive.

However, relationship addiction might not be what you expect. Many of us get caught up in the excitement of a new love—constantly checking our phones, talking about them nonstop, or stalking their social media. But that initial excitement usually fades as the relationship settles.

Addiction, on the other hand, develops gradually. You don’t even realize it until you hit rock bottom. So how can you tell when you're addicted to relationships?

# Your relationships define you

At first glance, you might say your relationships don’t define you, but think deeper. When you and your partner argue, do you feel like your world is falling apart? Do you feel lost if a relationship ends, as if your personal failure caused it? If you answered yes or even maybe, you could be struggling with relationship addiction.

# Your relationships mask your pain

Many people use various things to cope with pain—drugs, alcohol, or even relationships. If you've experienced trauma, especially if it's buried deep, you might focus on a relationship as a distraction. The emotional highs and lows of the relationship can overshadow the real source of your pain.

# Your partner makes you anxious

If you often feel uneasy or constantly worry in a relationship, it's not bringing positivity into your life. Walking on eggshells to avoid conflict or stressing about what might go wrong indicates that the relationship is dominating your emotional well-being.

# You fear being without a relationship

One strong indicator of relationship addiction is the intense, irrational fear of being single. Even if you're unhappy, the thought of ending the relationship terrifies you. Your addiction convinces you that you need someone, even if staying doesn’t make you happy.

# You don’t trust your partner, but stay anyway

If you lack trust in your partner but continue the relationship, it could be a sign of addiction. The absence of trust creates instability, causing you to overthink and obsess. Yet, you stay because the fear of being alone feels worse than dealing with the mistrust.

# You don’t trust yourself

Do you doubt your own judgment? If deep down you know the relationship isn’t good for you but still continue, it may be because you’re afraid to trust yourself and your instincts.

# You break up and get back together often

Breaking up and reconciling once or twice is normal, but if it becomes a cycle, there’s usually an underlying issue. When couples keep getting back together despite the reasons for breaking up, it could indicate an addiction to the emotional rollercoaster.

# You prioritize your partner over everything

Do you cancel plans with friends and family to accommodate your partner? Do you consistently put their needs before your own? While it’s normal to want to make your partner happy, sacrificing your own well-being could point to an unhealthy dependence.

# You forgive everything

While some bad behavior can be forgiven, not everything should be. If you're allowing disrespect and constantly forgiving your partner out of fear of losing them, it might be a sign of relationship addiction.

# The bad outweighs the good

A clear sign of addiction is staying in a relationship where the bad times outnumber the good. If this describes your situation and you still feel compelled to stay, there’s likely an addictive element keeping you tied to the relationship.

# You make excuses for their behavior

If you find yourself justifying your partner's negative behavior, you're not just being forgiving. Excusing bad actions, like verbal abuse, because they had a bad day at work is a sign you're in an unhealthy relationship.

# You crave their attention

If you crave your partner's love and attention the way people crave sugar or caffeine, you may be addicted to relationships. When a partner isn’t consistently affectionate, it leaves you longing for attention, feeding your dependency.

# You feel physically sick without them

Feeling physically ill without your partner is a major indicator of relationship addiction. Much like withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, your body and mind may react when you’re away from the relationship.

# You’re afraid to argue

Being addicted to a relationship often means you’ll do anything to keep it going, even avoiding arguments to prevent conflict. You might become overly agreeable, stifling your own needs to maintain peace.

# You lack confidence

Relationship addiction erodes your self-esteem. You may have entered the relationship feeling confident, but relying on your partner for validation can gradually chip away at your sense of self-worth.