The Relationship Model of Addiction establishes a new standard for understanding and treating addiction. It expands the disease concept by re-defining addiction as a relationship. It integrates experiential, humanistic and existential perspectives; sheds light on the emotional and psychological dynamics of addiction; and has powerful implications for treatment and recovery. We know that recovering addicts must eventually make the transition from pathologically dependent relationships based on the need for relief to sober healthy, intimate, emotionally nourishing relationships. Regardless of one's experience in past and current relationships, doing the necessary self-work and learning some basic principles, pitfalls, challenges and skills, can make the transitions to healthy, emotionally nourishing, intimate relationships possible.