How much should a partner know about their significant other’s sexual addiction?

Many partners find out about their significant other’s sexual addiction by accident — a friend tells the partner or they find signs of the addiction on the computer — or maybe the addict decides on their own that it’s time to seek help. No matter how the partner learns about the sexual addiction, it will usually come as a shock and surprise.

After learning about the sex or pornography addiction, a partner usually faces confusion, wondering what the next step is.

Many partners who find out on their own confront the addict. If the partner agrees he or she has a problem, the next step is generally to find a therapist who is knowledgeable about pornography and sexual addiction.

For couples in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene that choose to seek counseling for the sexual addiction, an early step might be having a planned formal disclosure session to gain a more complete picture of the addiction.

However, before the disclosure, it is important to clarify your goals with your therapist, which will help you both decide how much you feel that you need to know about the addiction. To do this without the guidance and support of your therapist, your relationship has the potential for unnecessary hardship or damage.

Do you feel that you need to move toward greater intimacy and repair the relationship? Or do you feel like you want to punish the addict for their behavior?

The first is a positive step and intent, which the second is manipulative. Both responses warrant a different level of counseling and disclosure.

Everyone is different, and every situation is different.

Talk with your therapist to figure out how much you should know about the addiction before you and your significant other begin the road to recover.

Are you in search of a therapist to begin the recovery process? Contact us today to get started.

Testimonials

"Coeur d'Alene Counseling understood the severity of my illness and helped me resolve rooted issues formed as a young girl. The program’s curricula and methodology allowed me to reconnect to my family."

Client
"This program allowed me to heal from the destructive patterns of Love Addiction. I now live a life filled with hope and serenity. "

Client
"I was unaware that Love Addiction had such a powerful control over my mind. It wasn’t until my life became unmanageable and chaotic that I sought help. Coeur d'Alene Counseling’s expertise and guidance gave me tools to find freedom. I am now a whole, authentic woman who lives a peaceful, purposed filled life. "

Client
"My staff says that I am more approachable and much better about communicating with them. I am more present to their needs and I am being told that their work environment is much better place. I am so grateful to Coeur d'Alene Counseling!"

- Patient
"My children say they see a change in me. They say that they feel really loved by me. There is something different about me now. It’s through the tools I have learned through Coeur d'Alene Counseling that has helped me to be a better father."

- Patient
"I felt that I could never be helped because my addiction wasn’t something that could be treated. But I was wrong – thank God I found Coeur d'Alene Counseling."

- Patient
"I didn’t realize that this sense of security I developed with myself and my wife was even possible until Coeur d'Alene Counseling came into my life."

- Patient
"The program helped me to find myself – figure out who the real me is. I found a sense of wellbeing that has opened doors I never knew were available."

- Patient
"Coeur d'Alene Counseling’s program changed my life. The course of my marriage was an almost certain divorce. Now it’s an authentic trusting and loving relationship."

- Patient
"Rarely was there a moment that I did not feel like I was at my end. This program has taught me to strengthen my mind, and sobriety is leading me to a future."

- Patient
"I have a relationship with my kids again."

- Patient
"This program helped me become the man my wife wanted."

- Patient
"Sex addiction nearly took my life. Recovery has saved it"

- Patient
"Dread was my most feared feeling. Now I can hardly remember feeling it."

- Patient
"The program has helped me begin loving myself"

- Patient
"I thought I would never find some peace. I found some."

- Patient