Sex Addiction
A Guide for Couples and Those Who Help Them

Sex Addiction: A Guide for Couples and Those Who Help Them is a practical book that provides empathic support, guidance, information and pragmatic strategies for couples who want to survive sex and porn addiction - whether that?s together, or apart.

Sex and porn addiction devastates couple relationships, and unlike the impact of infidelity, there is no ?before? to get back to and no ?after?. This book adopts the metaphor of a boat, presenting addiction as the tidal wave that devastates the relation-ship, leaving both crew members fighting for survival. There?s guidance to ensure each partner makes it safely back to shore and advice on surveying the damage to your relation-ship and deciding if you want to save it and set sail again. You?ll find practical advice for both the partner and the addicted partner, including first-hand accounts of couples that have already undertaken the journey.

Part 1: Surviving the Storm 1. Why sex and porn addiction hurts so much 2. Understanding the reality of sex addiction 3. Prioritising individual recovery 4. Surviving the impact stage Part 2: Assessing the Damage 5. Understanding the importance of disclosure 6. Analysing the condition of your relationship 7. Navigating the meaning stage 8. Considering the decision to stay or leave Part 3: Re-launching your life – Alone 9. Having a ‘healthy’ divorce 10. Helping children cope with your divorce Part 4: Re-launching your life - Together 11. Acknowledging and accepting new roles 12. Understanding the essential role of forgiveness 13. Rebuilding trust 14. Developing and deepening intimacy

Paula Hall, PhD, is a UKCP-registered sexual and relationship psychotherapist, specialising in sex and porn addiction. She is Clinical Director of the Laurel Centre, which provides treatment services around the UK and accredited diploma-level training to professionals. She is also founder of the Hall Recovery Course and a founder trustee of ATSAC.