Overcoming Betrayal & Addiction

Dr. Rob and Tami answer some of their community's questions about addiction, betrayal, and more. In this episode, Dr. Rob explains the difference between intimacy and sex, why certain types of men/addicts cheat, and why the partners' of addicts often self-blame; but it is completely not their fault. If you're looking for additional support, Seeking Integrity has a number of free resources for both...

Dr. Rob and Tami share what a couple can expect when they sit down and talk with Dr. Rob in person or over Zoom when they are ready to address their infidelity and addiction issues. How do you know if a residential treatment is right for you? What do you do when your spouse still continues to lie to you after formal disclosure? All these questions answered, and more!    TAKEAWAYS: [0:45] How long...

Erin Snow, Clinical Director for Seeking Integrity, joins Tami on this episode to help talk about the importance of internal and regulation work, while also healing your hurt inner child. She speaks to betrayed spouses who are in love or have grief from loving their addict spouse, and more in today's episode.    TAKEAWAYS: [1:45] He claims to be sober, but he's doing nothing to be sober? [4:00] Me...

Tami and Scott, the Director of Content Development at Seeking Integrity, answer some common questions people new to recovery might have. They cover everything from the difference in SA 12-step programs, what to look for, and what types of resources are available for SA-specific individuals and their betrayed spouses.    TAKEAWAYS: [1:45] Today's episode covers common questions around the 12-step...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer questions from sex addicts as well as betrayed spouses to help them through some of their biggest struggles this week. One question in particular stands out. A betrayed partner has been beaten down verbally by her sex addict. She has been internalizing messaging that his actions are her fault, along with her not being physically attractive or 'good enough'. Dr. Rob and Tami...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about a young mother of two who is struggling to deal with her acting out and abusive husband. She doesn't want to break up the family and she's scared for her future, but Dr. Rob and Tami offer a beacon of hope in what should be some of her next steps.   TAKEAWAYS: [1:05] After a betrayal, when does it make sense to have sexual intimacy again? [9:35] He's blaming me for his...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about how an addict might be skirting the boundaries with his betrayed wife. Is flirtation seen as an active addiction, especially when the addict does it when his wife's not around? The 1# thing addicts love is attention and/or admiration. So, they might be a little sneaky in how they get their fix.   TAKEAWAYS: [:25] She says I ruined her life. Can I salvage this relationsh...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about why someone might feel uncomfortable in recovery. A betrayed spouse was asked by her addict to join a couple's support group, but after all the positive praise she was getting, he told to stop going. Dr. Rob and Tami break down how couple's support groups can be a life-changing and positive experience for couples, but only if they embrace the not-so-comfortable parts of...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed spouse in her 50s. She has been a stay-at-home mother for 23 years and is having a tough time reconciling the ending of the relationship with her violent addict. Is the relationship really over despite a temporary restraining order? Can this be salvaged? Dr. Rob and Tami weigh in their thoughts during this horrible time.    TAKEAWAYS: [:25] How do...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer listener questions about getting back together in sobriety, support for the betrayed wife, getting to know each other in recovery, taking your recovery seriously, and not asking forgiveness but making amends. Every lie resets the relationship to the beginning of betrayal. When is the right time for couples therapy?   TAKEAWAYS: [:23] My SA husband's one-year sobriety date i...

Dr. Rob and Tami break down the gray area between just having fun, being "at-risk" for an addiction, and being a full-blown addict. It can be difficult to define the line fully when you're in the middle of a "good time." Dr. Rob offers various considerations for you to think about to determine whether you're barely teetering the line or if you're in a bad and unsustainable place.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed partner about his wife's recurring infidelity. What first begins as innocent text messages with a stranger quickly turn sexual for her. It's a pattern that has repeated over and over. As he is trying to save the relationship, he wonders if this is all due to her traumatic and awful past where she was a victim of sexual abuse as a child. Dr. Rob cl...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from an addict who has also been betrayed by his spouse. They have both hurt each other with their addictions/infidelities, however, it seems unfair that he's in treatment for his demons and she is running around scot-free. Dr. Rob and Tami explain how you can move forward and focus on your own recovery despite experiencing a betrayal from your partner.   TAKEAWA...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about the healing properties a journal practice can have. A listener wrote that her therapist wants her to journal out the resentment and anger that her SA has caused her, but the mere thought of doing this gets her re-triggered and angry all over again. Is there really a point to all of this aside from re-remembering the betrayal?    TAKEAWAYS: [:25] My SA husband's entire f...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about whether it makes sense for an addict to be put on a harm reduction treatment for sex addiction. A listener writes in wondering if he should completely stop or if reducing the impact and damage through harm reduction is a good starting point. Dr. Rob sets the record straight on what he thinks about harm reduction and honesty.   TAKEAWAYS: [:45] My partner admitted he's a...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a listener who is struggling to be a more empathetic person to their partner. Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to be present and emotionally available for her. Is this because he has ADHD? Is he just broken? How can he fix this? Dr. Rob and Tami offer a more detailed insight into what might actually be going on.   TAKEAWAYS: [:25] How do I build trust...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about what to do when your addict is incredibly jealous when you have friends of the opposite sex. It seems very hypocritical when they're the ones who caused harm and cheated in the first place. Dr. Rob and Tami talk about how to set healthy boundaries with someone who is out-of-their-mind jealous.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] How do I believe my addict is being honest without a polyg...

Dr. Rob and Tami discuss what an addict can do if the 12-step program just isn't for them. Should they stop going? Should they keep white-knuckling it? Tami offers resources for those who feel very out of place at these particular meetings. When it comes to recovery, getting the help you need and doing so correctly is the most important step in the process.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] I noticed my SA and o...

Dr. Rob and Tami discuss why someone would "suddenly" become an addict in their mid-40s. Sometimes, there were no inklings that this person was even an addict in the first place, but how true is that? Dr. Rob breaks down why someone might become an addict out of the blue in this week's episode.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] My husband has nocturnal emissions. Is this normal or is he just lying? [8:05] My hus...

Dr. Rob and Tami dive into when it makes sense for someone to date again after being sober and in recovery from sex, love, or porn addiction. This can be tricky for some professionals to determine, but Dr. Rob and Tami walk through some of the questions you need to ask yourself before you take that next step in the relationship. Remember, the goal isn't to have sex in the dating process, it's to g...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed spouse whose sex addict husband isn't doing the work. He says that he won't act out anymore because she's "fixed" after all the therapy she's doing. What kind of logic is this? Dr. Rob calls out this deflection behavior and wants every betrayed spouse to remember three important and critical things about themselves.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] My husband s...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a distraught mother who has no idea how to work through her daughter's feelings and emotions about her father's sexual betrayal. Despite the young daughter going to a therapist, the mother is receiving news from him that she should be 100% honest with her daughter about what's happening in the household. Dr. Rob weighs in on how this isn't healthy or good ad...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about how a betrayed spouse can work towards forgiving their partner who is suffering from sex addiction or other related issues. Many addicts fail to understand why it takes their spouse so long to recover from their betrayal. Dr. Rob explains from a betrayed spouse's point of view how, and when, to move forward.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] What's the difference between chronic cheat...

Dr. Rob and Tami discuss whether a listener is truly living a sober life. The listener asked if it's okay to masturbate to pictures of their own body now that they're sober from porn. Dr. Rob weighs in on his interesting thoughts on the matter. Dr. Rob also answers questions about when is a good time to initiate intimacy with a SA, and much more.   TAKEAWAYS: [:45] My addict is doing "borderline"...

Dr. Rob and Tami offer advice from a husband who has betrayed his spouse. Although he's been sober for 22 months now, his wife still feels so hurt by his past actions. He automatically wants to be on the defensive when she's upset, but can't. What are some of the best ways he can comfort his wife? Dr. Rob and Tami share different approaches to help this couple move forward and toward healing.   TA...