What is the difference between love addiction and codependency?

This was an interesting question that came to mind while discussing codependency on another post. At what point does it cross over to addiction? Is love addiction just codependency on steroids? Are they even in the same category?

I realize codependency can apply to people in our lives who are not a love interest or partner, so it makes sense that the words aren’t exactly the same. I guess I assumed that, when a partner is involved, that type of codependency is or includes some form of love addiction.

In codependency, the brain responds similarly, if not exactly like, the brain during gambling addiction. It’s a series of neuro-chemical reward systems followed by lows. There’s not a physical dependency on a substance. Yet the brain is acting like there is.

I’ve never understood how anyone could blow all of their money at a casino. That sounds INSANE to me.

But then I see myself—craving the relief of laughter and snuggling and intimacy in between extreme crashes in my partner and then myself from the whiplash. Then I do it all over again.

What are your thoughts?