Spouses of sex addicts often suffer in isolation. Partners and spouses deserve compassion, education, information.
Support is invaluable for these powerful emotions and critical decisions.
Partners often describe entering a state of “freefall” upon discovery of a spouse’s sexually compulsive behaviors.
The bottom drops out of life as they knew it. Beyond the despair, rage and shame, partners also experience profound disorientation. There’s overwhelm and anxiety over what to do next, what the future holds, how one’s children or community will be affected, etc.
It’s crucial for a therapist to recognize the unique experience and therapeutic requirements of partners impacted by a sex addict’s behaviors. You will be treated with compassion and understanding as you work through the trauma and pain activated as a result of your partner’s sexual addiction.There is a treatment process for couples working through the wreckage of sexual addiction. While it’s not easy, couples can (and do) emerge with improved communication skills, increased responsibility to self and others, and a hard-won emotional intimacy.
For spouses, Full Disclosure from the addict can be a instrumental step toward recovery. Disclosure can stop the “freefall” and restore a sense of respect and dignity to the spouse, allowing them to know the truth of their life and make next-step decisions accordingly. Full Formal Disclosure is an important part of treatment, and should be prepped and facilitated clinicians specially trained to guide the sex addict and spouse though the process.