One of the issues that complicates recovery from an affair, is when there are other issues with recovery. When a person is struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs, the pain of an affair is even more difficult to deal with. In such populations, the agenda is often one of avoiding pain, rather than facing it.
The avoidance of pain for such populations becomes a way of life. With any crisis, including the affair, the standard method of coping is to drug/drink. Recovery from addiction is hard enough without having to deal with an affair. Resorting to the bottle or pills may numb the pain, but it does nothing in terms of helping one get through the pain or what caused the pain in the first place.
Learn to work through the pain. Although it may seem overwhelming, it will need to be faced and overcome. When a position or attitude of hopelessness sets in, there is a loss of motivation that occurs. It is important to keep up hope and work through the pain rather than giving in to it. Avoiding issues and pain is what led to the affair in the first place. Using the same technique as a way to cope with the affair is an excercise in futility.
Keep a clear head, you will need it for the days ahead.
Best Regards,
Jeff Murrah
