Have you recently become aware of behavior in your partner that causes you to suspect issues of sexual addiction?

If you have confronted your partner about your suspicions of their sexual addiction, it’s important to know that addicts will say anything to make you feel that you are wrong, which can lead to doubting your own perceptions.

In these situations, you might begin a pattern of addictive behaviors and do things you never thought yourself capable of.  Actions such as searching wallets, checking emails and phone records, and looking for contradictions in stories, indicate that you may have lost yourself in your partner’s addicted world.

As the partner of an addict, you are probably in need of treatment just as much as the addict is. Even if you are no longer with this person, it is likely that without getting help to understand your experiences and feelings, you will end up with another addict somewhere along the way.

Treatment:

As the partner of a sex addict you most likely suffer from a severe blow to your self-esteem, body image, and sexuality after being faced with the secrets, lies and betrayals of your partner.

Part of treatment usually involves disclosure. Disclosure is often extremely validating, providing a sense of relief that your perceptions were correct. You will need to process and heal from the trauma of broken trust and intense feelings of hurt and anger. Therapy will focus on re-learning healthy boundaries and relationship dynamics, and build up of self esteem and self worth again.

Recovery will take time as you learn to feel safe again in your relationship, how to trust, and pay attention to your emotional needs.