Real Hope, True Freedom. Milton S Magness
overcome the adverse impact of sex addiction,
and model restoration for other couples
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: The Avenue to Addiction
Chapter 1: The Role of Family of Origin
Chapter 2: Abuse
Chapter 3: Addiction and the Brain
Chapter 4: Other Risk Factors
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Narcissistic and Other Personality Disorders
Chapter 5: The Role of Pornography
Chapter 6: The Progression of Sex Addiction
Sex Addiction’s Relationship to Other Forms of Addiction
Chapter 7: General Questions about Sex Addiction
Chapter 8: Questions about Sex Addiction from Partners
Chapter 9: Is There Any Hope?
Part Two: The Road to Recovery
Chapter 10: Recovery Basics
Things to Start
Things to Stop
Things to Change
The Free Stuff Is Priceless
Chapter 11: General Questions about Recovery
Part Three: The Highway to Healing—The Partner’s Journey
Chapter 12: Recovery Basics for Partners
It’s Not Your Fault!
Twelve-Step Meetings for Partners
Other Support Groups
Other Possible Options
Starting Your Own Recovery Journey
Chapter 13: Why Did He Do It?
Chapter 14: Whom Do I Tell?
Chapter 15: Moving Forward
Educate Yourself about Sex Addiction
Do Your Own Healing and Recovery Work
Detach. Detach. Detach.
Determine What You Need If You Are Going to Stay
Develop a Plan for Asking for the Recovery Work You Need from Your Husband
Follow Through and Have That Conversation
Step Back and Watch and Wait for a Predetermined Length of Time
Signs He’s Working to Gain Freedom and True Change
Chapter 16: Questions about Recovery from Partners
Chapter 17: Coping with Trauma
Chapter 18: Legal and Financial Protection for Partners
Part Four: The Path to Restoring Relationships
Chapter 19: Questions about Restoring Relationships
Chapter 20: Disclosure: Why? How? When?
Why?
How?
When?
Post-Disclosure
Chapter 21: Questions about Disclosure
Chapter 22: Questions about Polygraph Exams
Chapter 23: Rebuilding Intimacy
Making Amends
Emotional Intimacy
Spiritual Intimacy
Sexual Intimacy
Chapter 24: Healthy Sexuality
Guy Talk
For Partners
Restarting Your Sexual Relationship
Touch and Oxytocin
Foreplay
Questions