A friend, who is going through a rough break-up asked me how to recover and move on. I wish I had a magic answer. A one size fits all, step by step guide that could relieve the pain, stop the obsessing and mend a broken heart. Although, I don't have a magic cure, I do have some tips that will help speed up your recovery. But first, let me explain the chemistry behind why break-ups are so difficult to "just get over"and feel a lot like withdrawing from a drug.

The beginning stage of the most relationships are so powerful. The impact of falling in love is intoxicating. Our emotions were so overwhelming and incredibly addictive. Our brain literally became drenched in a potent cocktail of "love" and pleasure-inducing chemicals like: Adrenaline, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Dopamine. Then add in the drop of Serotonin levels that accompany falling in love. This drop in Serotonin basically drives you to obsess about your lover.

Adrenaline was responsible that exuberating flood of energy during the initial phase and is also the reason of why many new lovers require less sleep and often lose their appetites. Next pour in a little Oxytocin, commonly referred to as the "bonding hormone", which produces and solidifies the attachment between partners. This hormone is the same hormone that is released in the brains of mothers who give birth and is linked to the bonding that occurs between mother and her newborn.

Top that off with the all-pervading chemical, Dopamine, which arouses feelings of pleasure within the body and coincidently happens to be the same addictive chemical that is released when people eat chocolate or take a hit of cocaine. So, it's not really not all that shocking that a break-up can feel as challenging as quitting a serious drug habit. The method prohibits contact of any kind for at least 90 days to give your mind time to withdraw from your ex and level out chemically.