Sex Addiction: The Partner's Perspective: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Surviving Sex Addiction For Partners and Those Who Want to Help Them

by Paula Hall

Sex and pornography addiction are growing problems that devastate the lives of partners as well as sufferers. Sex The Partner's Perspective has been written to help partners and those who care about them to survive the shock of discovering their partner is a sex addict and to help them make decisions about the future of their relationships and their lives. First and foremost, it is a practical book, full of facts, and self help exercises to give partners a much needed sense of stability and control. Like its sister book, Understanding and Treating Sex Addiction , it includes case examples and survey results revealing the reality of life for partners of sex addicts.
Sex The Partner's Perspective is divided into three parts. Part I explores the myths surrounding sex addiction and provides up to date information about what sex addiction is and what causes it before moving on to explain why the discovery hurts partners so much. Part II is about partners’ needs and includes self-help exercises and strategies to help partners regain stability, rebuild self-esteem and consider their future. The controversial topic of co-dependency is also explored with guidance on how to identify it, avoid it and overcome it. Part III focuses on the couple relationship starting with the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave. Whatever the decision, partners will then find help and support for rebuilding trust and reclaiming their sexuality.　
This book has been written to help partners not only survive, but to grow stronger and move on with their lives – whether alone, or in their relationship. Readers will find revealing statistics and real life stories shared by partners who kindly took part in the first UK survey of sex addiction partners. This book will this book be a valuable guide for partners, but also for the therapists who seek to support them on their journey of recovery.

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2015

Reviews

[Kathleen Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!

I've been on this pain filled merry-go-round for 44 years. I've researched, read and sought counseling... finally a book that 'gets' the unique struggle of life with someone addicted to porn. It has expressed my conflicted emotions in an incredibly helpful way.

[amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

yeah no ladies if ur man has a sex addiction please leave. he's not worth it i promise

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only became enraged twice

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some great things in it- I particularly loved the section on things to consider when choosing to stay or leave a relationship. I appreciate the disclaimer at the beginning about how the term sex addiction may not be accurate or helpful, but then she uses it anyway, so because of that and a few other problematic things, I couldn’t recommend this book to clients, which is a shame. There are not enough books for supporting partners of people struggling with pornography or sexual health issues.

[Jean Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the psychology of sex addictions by Paula Hall. Although my goal was to learn more about the condition, it also has many practical tips on partner relationships and communication skills.

It's often a taboo to address different types of addictions, but sexual ones that stem from childhood exposures and chronic behavioral patterns are not only via ingested drugs but also visual or physical sensations.

Essentially a book for the main character of Nymphomania or others who struggle with these inclinations.

Solid book from a therapist and the psychological analyses provided.

[Andrew Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sensible, helpful and compassionate. I would recommend Paula's work to any therapist who wants to get an insight into the problems facing the partner's of sex addicts and ideas for helping them. I have also recommended this to clients but the academic tone might be off-putting to some people.