I'll admit thats the first time I've heard that reason, but your're right, perhaps we SO's here can understand.
All addictions are compulsive, the addict will be so focused on the task, that everything around them are neglected. They will also form impaired thoughts and judgements to support their reasoning for certain activities. And with trading cards, just like porn, many people don't understand because some see it as 'harmless' or 'not that bad' or 'everyone is doing it'....hense isolating the woman from true understanding from others, regarding her feelings.
You see all the time he wasted on searching, buying and admiring his beloved cards (and money, no doubt) would have been alot of time he wasn't investing in his partner, nor time spent fostering their relationship......just like porn.

Big hugs to her. We can all certainly understand that!

Ohhhh gosh....I could only wish! Too funny! That person must be extremely healthy...or very sick?

I think this is interesting. It shows a person can become fixated on just about ANYTHING to the point of additiction, resulting in an escape from intimacy. With my husband it was t.v. and video games first, then gambling, and later P/MB/Sex chats. My fear is that if we overcome this, what could be next? Even if it were something benign, I would not be able to handle it. I have learned that I NEED and DESERVE iintimacy... we all do.

The important thing to remember in any recovery from addiction, is to not just get over the urges of what ever the addict is addicted to. But to work in recovery and identify why they seek to numb themselves in the first place, otherwise yes they will either slip back or replace their addiction with another.
The addiction is often not the root of the main issues.....well to the addict, anyway :)

Trina; I don't know how anyone ever does it. I think that I often feel numb myself now...and it is such a blessed relief from pain. I can understand why they embrace it so closely. I know it's not good...but when I feel that way myself...it is so attractive.