Sex / Pornography Addiction Support Group
Sexual addiction, also sometimes called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction to sexual intercourse and other sexual behavior.
Sexual addiction, also sometimes called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction to sexual intercourse and other sexual behavior.
Yes, set boundaries with consequences, but just know that this won't be easy and he will be very resistant.
You may want to get some help with this through therapy or a group for spouses.
This is a difficult way to live when someone isn't open to hearing you.
Hang in there and let him know that this behavior is no longer acceptable in your home.
I have known many women whose husbands didn't admit to a problem and later as of course MORE issue came up and it came out. This makes it a very drawn out process and is so painful to the marriage. I personally caught my husband looking at pornography here and there but never knew it was regularly use or that it could become an addiction. I found out the severity once he was so far in that it was destroying my husband and our marriage.
I'm glad you are in counseling so you have the support behind if you if you need to make strong boundaries. When I found out I came up with a list of what I needed him to do inorder for our marriage to continue. One was to get into counseling and start attending an accountability group. There are many mens purity groups out there that support not using pornography for anyone on the spectrum of occasional use to addiction. It does seem that if your husband is worried about having urges in three months that is a red flag. If it isnt an addiction than it shouldn't be a problem to stop RIGHT??
My advice is get yourself in a good spot for making your boundaries. Respecting someone includes giving choices. I make a choice and then you can make a choice. You have the right to say I choose not to have pornography in our marriage. Now your husband has the choice to either do what he needs to get help or the choice to leave with his addiction.
Sorry you are going through this it feels so personal but it isn't about you it is about your husband's addiction. It does of course affect you and the marriage.
A book worth reading for spouses is "Your Sexually Addicted Spouse, Help and Hope" by Dr. Barbara Steffens and Marsha Means. I found it very helpful and it was written just for spouses.
@Learningskills thanks, I will take your advice!
I agree that you can't have a meaningful conversation while he denies his problem. Here's what I did: I told my husband that him watching porn destroyed me, it hurt me so bad that he would covet other women and "get off" by watching porn. I told him that I completely considered him watching porn, cheating! It is cheating. I told him he can choose the porn if that's what's important to him but if he does, he loses me. I told him if I find porn just one more time, I'm done - he can leave and then you've got to be willing to follow through.
he doesnt like that you are taking back the power. His addiction has had him in the driver seat, watching porn, masturbating, and you in his life too. I agree it is a form of emotional abuse. You gave him the night to process it, now what? He ignores you, the email.....
Chances are today he is going to try everything in his power to make you sound crazy, he will tell you fine i will stop, but he wont....time to stick to your boundaries!!!!! you can do this, you are stronger then his addiction, and have to do what you have to do to keep you and your kids safe....
@candycin I agree with you.... Now the ball is in my court so to speak... But he hasn't said a thing. He already told me he would stop the first time all this came out and I actually believed him until last Sunday. At this point though I don't know what to do. I don't needd to ask him what he thinks of my boundaries because it doesn't matter they are mine and no one is going to Change my mind on them. So I'm just here.
@BryanHoward I know you are on the other side of this dilemma...but with him withdrawing I am not sure what to do anymore. I can't corce him to admit he has a problem. Thanks for the support :)