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There are many forms of love, so we need precision when identifying the types that may be addictive.

An addiction framework pathologizes individuals as having behaviors that defy reason and run riot.

We need alternative models that explain how people learn to desire.

Is there such a thing as love addiction? It is a concept that has been gaining traction in popular culture but whether it might be viable as a clinical condition hinges on what is meant by love and by addiction.

Different types of love

There are many types of love, each of which has transformative power over and on us. Does each have a form that would lead to it becoming addictive?

Eros describes a passionate longing for a person physically and what they may represent, such as an ideal of beauty. Many people would say this type of love can be addictive.

Philia refers to the love between friends that involves goodwill, mutuality, and reciprocity. Many would deny that this could be addictive; we don’t tend to say that we are addicted to our friends (or our pets).

Agape is a selfless and unconditional love that extends to humanity and may come from humanity or from a god/God/Higher........

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