I Couldn’t Stop Facebook-Stalking My Ex—Was I Addicted to Him or Just Obsessed?
It started harmlessly enough. A casual glance at Jim’s Facebook page. A quick scroll through his latest photos. Then it became nightly. Then hourly. Then every time I felt stressed, lonely, bored, or triggered. Eventually, I couldn’t go to sleep until I had checked his updates. It felt involuntary. Obsessive. Addictive.
I asked myself: Do they have addiction help for Facebook stalking? The answer, I’ve come to learn, is yes—but not in the way we usually think about addiction help. It’s not a 30-day rehab, it’s not an unfollow button. It’s a process of reclaiming your peace, your self-worth, and your present life.
Let me back up.
When Love and Recovery Collide
Jim and I met after heroin treatment. He was older, wiser, deeply committed to AA, and had a sense of humor that made even the worst days bearable. We fell hard and fast. His commitment to service work inspired me. His love felt healing. But I was also growing into myself, and that growth pulled us in opposite directions. I was focused on school, he wanted marriage. Eventually, we broke up.
Life threw us together again a year later, and for a moment, it felt like fate. But soon after, I moved back to New Hampshire. He stayed in Florida. I begged him to come with me. He tried, but he met someone else—and didn’t get on the plane.
That was the last time we spoke.
Jim got married. They had a daughter. I moved on—but not really. I couldn’t stop checking his Facebook. Even when I was dating someone new. Even when I knew it hurt. That’s when I realized: I was dealing with a new kind of addiction.
Understanding Facebook Stalking Addiction
“Facebook stalking addiction” isn’t a clinical diagnosis, but the behavior mirrors the cycle of compulsive addiction:
- Trigger: A feeling of loss, loneliness, abandonment.
- Compulsion: The urge to check, scroll, analyze, compare.
- Temporary relief: A moment of connection or fantasy.
- Shame or regret: You feel worse, not better, after.
- Repeat.
Why Does This Happen?
According to psychologists, obsessive social media checking often stems from unresolved trauma, attachment issues, or emotional dysregulation. The platform becomes a vehicle for self-harm disguised as “keeping tabs.”
In my case, Facebook was a portal to a fantasy life where Jim still loved me. Where maybe I still had a chance. But that fantasy cost me my peace. And it was keeping me stuck in the past.
The Psychology Behind Obsessive Love and Abandonment
Love Addiction Is Real
Love addiction is a form of emotional dependency where romantic attachment becomes a source of identity and self-worth. According to Pia Mellody, author of Facing Love Addiction, those who struggle with abandonment trauma often seek connection with emotionally unavailable partners, then obsess when that connection is lost.
Abandonment Trauma
If you’ve ever felt like you were “too much” or “not enough” in relationships, or like someone leaving is a reflection of your worth, you’re not alone. Many women in recovery are also recovering from childhood wounds, emotional neglect, or betrayal that manifests as anxious attachment in adulthood.
Why Toxic Relationships Hook Us
Toxic relationships are often intense, passionate, and confusing—which creates a chemical and emotional rollercoaster. Dopamine spikes from intermittent rewards (love, withdrawal, love again) keep us addicted to the cycle.
7 Tips to Break Free from Facebook Stalking Addiction and Heal from Obsessive Love
1. Block or Unfollow Their Social Media
Stop feeding the obsession. It will feel impossible at first, but your nervous system needs time to regulate without constant re-triggering.
2. Replace the Habit with a Ritual
Instead of refreshing their profile, light a candle and journal for five minutes. Call a friend. Read your favorite recovery literature. Replace the compulsion with conscious care.
3. Join a Support Group for Love Addiction
Groups like SLAA (Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous) or Al-Anon can offer insight, tools, and community for those struggling with emotional dependency.
4. Work with a Trauma-Informed Therapist
Look for a therapist trained in EMDR, IFS, or somatic therapy who can help you process the root cause of your abandonment wounds and obsessive patterns.
5. Create a Future Vision for Yourself
Write out the life you want—one that has nothing to do with your ex. What brings you joy? What lights you up? Who are you becoming?
6. Clean Out Digital and Emotional Clutter
Delete old photos, texts, playlists, or journals that tether you to the past. Make space for new memories.
7. Remember: Obsession Is a Signal, Not an Identity
You’re not crazy. You’re in pain. This is your nervous system asking for safety and connection. Offer it to yourself, instead of chasing it from someone who is gone.
Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships and Emotional Addiction
You can love someone and still leave them. You can miss someone and still choose yourself. You can hurt and still heal.
Breaking free from a toxic or obsessive relationship doesn’t mean you stop caring. It means you start caring about yourself more. It means you wake up one day and say: Dust off your heels, girl. We’re not staying stuck anymore.
What Emotional Sobriety Looks Like After a Breakup
- You wake up and the first thing you check is your breath, not their feed.
- You learn to sit with your feelings instead of reacting to them.
- You replace fantasy with reality, and pain with purpose.
- You stop waiting for closure and start writing your next chapter.
Recovery is about freedom. Not just from substances, but from behaviors and patterns that keep us small. Facebook stalking addiction is just a symptom of something deeper—a longing to feel seen, safe, and whole.
Final Thoughts: Your Future Is Bigger Than Your Past
You are not your heartbreak. You are not your mistakes. You are not the girl refreshing an ex’s Facebook page at midnight.
You are a woman in recovery. You are healing. You are worthy of love that doesn’t leave you begging, obsessing, or doubting your worth.
So dust off your heels. We’ve got work to do.
And this time, it’s not about getting him back.
It’s about getting you back.
If you found yourself in this story, you’re not alone. Join our community at Sobriety for Women for support, resources, and real talk about life after addiction, breakups, and obsessive love. Emotional sobriety is possible. Let’s walk it together.
Author: Sally Rosa
Sally Rosa is an experienced content writer specializing in addiction treatment and healthcare. With a strong background in lead generation, marketing, and high-quality content creation, she has been a valuable contributor to Sobriety for Women—helping elevate brand awareness and deliver meaningful content to the recovery community.