By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D.

            For those who are trying to regain control over their lives by establishing recovery from sexual addiction, there are many tips you can use to interrupt the momentum of addiction.  The first steps in early recovery are to cease the acting out.  This usually entails identifying the problematic behavior that you know that you need to abstain from.  Many sex addicts in early recovery still have a lack of insight into the pervasiveness of their illness and still believe that the “most problematic” behaviors are “the problem”.  In order to plow through more of the ego defenses, that serve to minimize personal insight, ask your significant others to tell you how they feel about your behavior--not just your obvious sexual behavior, but your relationship, emotional, spiritual, and productivity behavior.  What you hear may surprise you.

            Similarly, many people in early recovery believe that the significant people in their lives have no clue as to their addiction.  This is often not the case.  As you consider who you want to discuss your recovery with, think about who among the people you love and respect, would make a good “accountability partner”.  An accountability partner is one that you ask to be available to assist you with maintaining honesty, with making appropriate decisions, and with being responsible, consistent, and reliable in your recovery activities.  An accountability partner should also be available to you. To finish reading this article, follow this link:  New:  Maintaining Early Recovery From Sexual Addiction By Preventing Relapse