Brian / Trevor:
thanks for your honest response and input. You are helping to reinforce (emotionally) what I am cognitively aware of. "Which came first, the egg or the chicken?" Is one amidst the throws of intimacy and seeks seeks/falls into the addiction? or Does the addiction take hold and create / enhance the intimacy addictions? My speculation: Dysfunctional patterns inspired in childhood lead to the intimacy issues...leading to the addictive patterns of escape? Any thoughts from personal introspection? And what may send an individual towards this addiction - vs drugs/alcohol/over eating/gambling/etc? Again, thanks - your sharing from the other side does help us on "our side" to understand.