((((((Talia)))))))
I truly understand your pain. You have a lot of insight into the love addiction/love avoidance issue and have a great understanding of the dynamics of your relationship.
He, on the other hand, doesn't have a clue.
He has no idea what need you filled or what role you played in his psyche. He does not have that insight. Plus he also has an addiction, which clouds everything else anyway, and all that other stuff requires deep soul searching to understand and come to terms with.
You are light years ahead of him.
He will never validate you in the way you want and/or need him to. He will never acknowledge any of it. At least, not until he finds it within himself to address his own deeply rooted personal issues.
Try to focus on letting go. Waiting on him to tell you what you want to hear may drive you nuts.
Take care,
JG