The Avoidant's Sacrifice and Resentment in Relationships

Ingrid confesses to her past rehab stint while recalling a missed opportunity for a threesome. This sets the stage for a recurring pattern: the avoidant partner continuously sacrifices their own needs but it never satisfies the love addict. Consequently, the avoidant grows resentful and seeks an outlet outside of the relationship. This outlet can manifest as an affair, excessive exercising, work, drugs, or other high-risk behaviors. The avoidant tends to compartmentalize their actions, fueling the intensity due to secrecy. Meanwhile, the love addict uses denial to maintain the fantasy and accept the unacceptable behavior.