Are you the spouse of a sex addict? Five Ways to Handle It

If dealing with sex addiction in marriage, recognize that while you may not have control over your spouse, you can control how you handle the problem. While some spouses may pursue a Tennessee divorce, others may choose to try to work out the problem.

Five Tips for Spouses of a Sex Addict 

Having a spouse who is a sex addict may seem overwhelming, but there are steps that may prove helpful in these situations: 

1. Confront the problem. As long as the addiction is secret, neither you nor your spouse can take any steps toward getting help. Whether the addiction is revealed by accident or your spouse steps forward and tells you about it, at least the problem is out in the open.
2. Suggest therapy. Compulsive behavior of any kind is extremely difficult to kick without professional help. Both you and your spouse could benefit from the guidance of a couples counselor with experience in treating sex addictions.
3. Set boundaries. You don’t have to accept behavior from your spouse that makes you feel demeaned or disrespected. Just because the addiction is “out” does not mean you have to sit by while he indulges his compulsions.
4. Be realistic. Addictions don’t disappear overnight; recovery will involve a process and it may take a while to see solid improvement. If you decide to stay in your marriage, be prepared to put in the work to deal with the problem.
5. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Let your spouse know how you feel as well as your expectations about the future. Don’t use divorce as an empty threat; but by all means, be honest about it should you make the decision to end the marriage.

Considering divorce if sex addiction affects your marriage? 

Discovering a spouse’s compulsive sexual behavior may be shocking and emotionally draining. It’s important to remember your legal rights in these situations. Speak with a divorce attorney and be informed regarding all your options if you are the spouse of a sex addict.