The Paradox of Boundaries
Men with sex addiction don't respond well to boundaries set by their partners, but they need boundaries for their recovery.
Published: December 12, 2022
Reviewed: February 19, 2025
In early recovery, men with sex addiction often don't respond well to boundaries set by their partners. I've had a lot of time to ponder on the matter. One thing I am certain, my wife was crucial to my recovery. I wish I knew then what I know now: I needed her boundaries. I wrote this article to explain and Covenant Eyes published it.
Tony is co-founder of Oak Mountain Coaching, an online practice that helps men regain their sexual integrity from the throes of active addiction and helps their partners heal from betrayal trauma.
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The Root Cause of Addiction
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The Opposite of Addiction
Men with addiction are stuck in a cycle of compulsion and secrets. Trying to hide and fight it alone only serves to feed the addiction.
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Greatest Fear of Recovery
Fear is a powerful force. An innate survival skill, it keeps us in loneliness by taking the choice of relationship away from others.
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Addiction Slips vs Relapse
Slips and relapse describe falling short of sobriety in one's recovery. Let's examine what they can mean for you.
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Three Circles Exercise
The Three Circles is a recovery exercise for sexual sobriety that defines behaviors related to a struggler's addiction.
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How Porn Harms
Telling yourself, 'It's not hurting anyone' is wishful thinking. Research shows it affects your brain and everyone around you.
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Why Am I Addicted to Porn?
Discover how internalized shame fuels porn addiction and identify hidden emotional patterns with our internalized shame test.
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