The recent attention given to Jesse James and Sandra Bullock’s situation underscores the issue of sexual addiction and affairs. Although people make jokes about Tiger Woods and sex addiction in general, the issue is very real and is no laughing matter. Affairs are not all the same. Dealing with an intentional affair is handles differently than a sexual addiction. In the case of sexual addictions, the brain chemistry is often working against the the adulterous spouse. The brain wants it’s excitement and stimulation. The problem lies in how it chooses to gratify those desires.
When faced with an affair, many resolute spouses are prone to view them as all the same. It is a mistake to assume that they are all the same or that the way to deal with them is all the same. The alcoholic does not interact with alcohol like the average Joe, neither does the sexual addict interact with sex (and affairs) the same way either. The intentions are often good, yet the brain chemistry often has a strong hold on such persons. Knowing what you are up against is important in deciding what is the best plan of action to take.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey Murrah
