Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater: Can a Recovering Sex Addict Have a Healthy Relationship?

It can be very disconcerting to think about dating a recovering sex addict, especially with all the hype that goes on the news today. The thought that an addict could have a healthy relationship is a shock to several people, but it is possible with treatment.

According to the NCBI, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for sexual addictions help the individual to identify core triggers and beliefs and help to develop healthier choices as well as coping mechanisms to curb temptation and avoid a relapse.

There are many reasons why a person who is recovering from a sexual addiction can have a healthy relationship.

Learn Strong Boundaries

A recovering addict will understand the importance of setting strong boundaries after their treatment program to avoid a potential relapse or slip up in their recovery plan.

In treatment, a recovering sex addict will have learned how to have an honest relationship.

The addict can still participate in a relationship with the right person but they will know where they can do, what they can watch, and websites that cannot visit in order to continue their recovery.

Even certain conversations with others can trigger a train of thoughts or feelings that could cause a relapse. A recovering addict will know where their boundaries are, which can make them more sensitive and respectful about things that make their partner uncomfortable.

The Importance of Integrity & Resilience

The program that the recovering addict has gone through will help them to see the importance of having integrity for themselves. He or she need to be honest with themselves and share how they feel appropriately.

The individual will show that they value integrity when their behavior lines up with their beliefs and how open they are about themselves. A recovering addict will also show consistency in their decision-making with integrity in their lives as a whole, not just in their relationships.

According to the SAMHSA, resilience is the individual’s ability to cope with adversity and adjust to the changes in one’s life. This resilience develops over time to help the recovering addict be prepared for their challenges and stressful situations in their lives.

He or she will be able to use this to continue their recovery and handle the stress that may come with a relationship in a healthier, better way.

Take Care of Yourself

Many people who have struggled with a sexual addiction will have put their whole selves into their recovery and the professionals who helped them to recover will have taught him or her the importance of self-care, or the ability to know they must first care for themselves for a healthy lifestyle before they can offer anyone anything else.

He or she will have learned to keep things in their lives that are good for them by themselves without outside help. They will also know what behaviors to practice in their lives that will help to support them in their recovery and reduce the temptations that could trigger a relapse.

This helps the addict to maintain a healthy, genuine, and honest relationship with their partner in a more healthy way.

Avoid These Topics when Talking with an Individual in Recovery

A recovering addict is given many tools to use to help them become the best person they can be, which allows them to have a healthy relationship with their partner. The recovering addict will know to set strong boundaries to stop them from relapsing, and have learned the value of integrity in their lives.

The individuals will also have learned how to take care of themselves so that they maintain a healthy outlook as well as a healthy lifestyle before they engage in any relationship. If you or a loved one is suffering from sexual addiction and needs help, call 800-256-3490 to speak with a caring specialist that can assist you.