Partners of sex addicts often experience significant sex addiction-induced trauma. There has been much less research done on partners and spouses of sex addicts than there has been done on the nature of sex addiction in regards to the addicts. Current clinical models have addressed co-addiction or codependency issues that may be occurring in the partners of sex addicts. pornography addiction
This concept comes from Alcoholics Anonymous and was adopted by the Sex Addiction Field and applied to partners and spouses. It defines codependency as an addiction to mood-altering behaviors like being overly passive or excessively nurturing in ways that negatively impact relationships and quality of life.
The reality for partners of sex addicts still continues to be misunderstood, but often partners experience trauma, not just co-dependency issues, from the direct impact of the sex addiction. Some trauma inducing sex addicted actions include:
• Sexual acting out
• Relational perpetration
• Emotional abuse
• Deception
• Betrayal
• Psychological manipulation
• Compartmentalization
These actions typically result in the partner experiencing:
• Ego fragmentation
• Relational and social problems
• Post-traumatic symptoms, like intrusive memories and negative changes in mood
• Psycho-biological alterations
Partners of sex addicts can benefit greatly from professional treatment to help them through their crisis. Having a good relationship with a trained therapist in sex addiction can help guide you through this traumatic time and allow you to understand, grow and repair from what’s happened to you. For more information on this subject visit www.gentlepathmeadows.com or call 855.333.6076.
