It's like being in love with someone who breaks your heart over and over.

Utterly horrible. The constant fear of being without the thing you're addicted to. It never ends, day on day, and you hate yourself for being weak, which then feeds the addiction. The times when you don't have access to thing your addicted to, your body feels more unwell than any traditional illness you've ever had. You feel half-dead (literally). And then, even if you do get past the addiction, you have to deal with the reasons why you were addicted in the first place. You have to fill the hole, fight boredom, insomnia, mood swings, self-hate. Even if you get free and stay free, the addiction never truly leaves you because you always know it's there as an escape route should you really, really need it.

Feels great and fine, even fantastic, as long as you have what you need.

Euphoric when its with us and heartbreaking when its not. Extreme ends of emotion.

Out of control and seemingly helpless

I'm addicted to wearing (woolen) tights, leggings, long underwear, etc.
I have to wear them under my jeans ... usually more than one layer ... year round ... even in hottest summer ...
That's what being addicted is like.

You are certainly welcome Lucy. I don't stalk but I see your posts from time to time. One day I hope to be a cool. :)

@ Lucy: no, it's an addiction. I'm NOT turned on by wearing it each day.
If I try not to wear it my brain runs crazy ... "i could wear it but I don't" ... "why don't I wear it" ...
Why do you condemn me?

Lucy you seriously rock. Have yet to see a post of yours that is not spot on. ;)

I appreciate that @CandyCane. Thank you!

@Chrisian68...Your profile and posts tell a different story.
Winkies and smilies et al.
You yourself called it a both a fetish and a talent.

Condemn you? Please...

@Chrisian68...That has nothing to do with addiction.
What you've described is a FETISH.
Way to post nonsense on a serious matter other people have truly struggled with!