Addiction and Cheating

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Cheating, also known as infidelity, is an act that involves the betrayal of a partner’s trust. It causes emotional wounds in a relationship that can take a lifetime to heal. The reasons behind cheating are varied, but one common condition that has often been linked to it is addiction.

This guide will examine the connection between addiction and cheating, and how both conditions can cause or worsen each other, turning into a vicious cycle. We’ll also discuss signs to watch out for, types of treatment, and ways to help a loved one get on the track to recovery.

Understanding the Link Between Addiction and Cheating

It’s important to understand that not all people suffering from addiction engage in cheating, and not all instances of cheating are related to addiction. However, both conditions can be used as unhealthy coping mechanisms when a person is dealing with emotional pain, stress, or trauma.

Another connection between addiction and cheating can be found in their environment. Social circles and settings where drug and alcohol use is more common and acceptable, like bars and nightclubs, can have more relaxed boundaries, making it easier to engage in infidelity.

Individuals struggling with addiction often experience guilt, shame, and life challenges as a result of their actions, and they may turn to cheating as a form of escape and distraction. If their partner reacts negatively to their addiction, they may seek comfort and intimacy from another.

It’s also possible for someone to cheat as a means to get away from the neglect, violence, or emotional abuse caused by their addicted partner, and to fulfill their unmet needs for affection. Inversely, a person may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with an unfaithful partner.

How Substance Addiction Affects Cheating

Substance addiction, sometimes called substance use disorder, is a mental health condition that involves a problematic pattern of using drugs or alcohol. A person with this addiction may continue taking the substance despite the negative impact on their health and well-being.

Impaired judgment, poor decision-making, lowered inhibitions, risky behavior, and a false sense of confidence are symptoms of substance addiction. These can influence a person to dismiss the damaging consequences of cheating in favor of immediate pleasure and gratification.

An individual may resort to drinking alcohol or using drugs to gain “liquid courage” to do bold and harmful acts like cheating. They may also shift the blame of their bad decision on the substance, saying “The liquor made me do it” or “I only did it because I was drunk/high.”

Cheating can be physical or emotional in nature, and varies greatly depending on the expectations of the partners in a relationship. It may involve engaging in sexual behaviors, providing emotional support, or spending time with someone outside the relationship.

How Behavioral Addiction Affects Cheating

On the other hand, behavioral addiction is an intense, persistent desire to perform a specific activity, like gambling, binge eating, playing video games, and using social media.

A person may enjoy the psychological reward or “high” that comes from these behaviors and eventually become addicted to them. Sex addiction, in particular, is a form of behavioral addiction that involves compulsively engaging in sexual acts despite negative consequences.

Individuals with sex addiction who are in committed relationships may struggle to remain faithful to their partner and may feel the uncontrollable desire to cheat to satisfy their addiction. They may also experience withdrawal and find it hard to stop their behavior even if they want to.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and Cheating

A person developing an addiction and struggling with infidelity can manifest both physical and emotional signs and symptoms. Only a qualified healthcare professional can make a clear diagnosis of addiction, but the following are red flags to watch out for:

• Poor impulse control, reckless choices, and hasty decision-making
• Keeping secrets, hiding, or lying about their behavior to their significant other
• Unexplained purchases and changes in spending habits
• Emotional outbursts and mood swings
• Changes in daily schedule, sleeping patterns, sexual behavior, or appetite
• Noticeable and sudden change in physical appearance
• Failing to perform responsibilities at home, school, or work
• Less time and attention for partner and family members
• Risk-taking and thrill-seeking when doing addictive behavior or using a substance
• Finding it hard to stop the addictive behavior or quit using the substance
• Cravings and withdrawal symptoms when not engaging in the addictive behavior

Knowing these signs and symptoms is important because the earlier you notice potential addiction and infidelity, the sooner you can seek treatment and prevent damage to you or your loved one’s health, relationships, and overall well-being.

What Are the Treatment Options for Addiction and Cheating?

Treatment for addiction and infidelity comes in many forms. It may involve therapy, counseling, medication, support groups, or a combination of services, depending on a person’s needs.

An addiction specialist is a professional who’s trained and certified to provide care for addiction and related disorders like cheating, from diagnosis to treatment and prevention. They can develop a personal treatment plan to help you or your loved one reach their recovery goals.

1. Medical Detox

The first step in treating substance addiction, involving drug or alcohol use, is medical detox. This process safely rids a person’s body of toxic and addictive substances under the supervision of health professionals. It also helps patients comfortably manage their withdrawal symptoms.

Detox can help treat the physical part of addiction, but a patient will need treatment for the psychological part as well to ensure complete and lasting recovery.

2. Addiction Counseling

Addiction counseling is usually a part of inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, scheduled during or after a medical detox. The process begins with an initial assessment of the individual, followed by goal-setting, preparing a treatment plan, and regular monitoring of progress.

Like other counselors, an addiction counselor works closely with an individual, as well as their romantic partner, family, and friends, to provide helpful information about addiction, direct feedback on their health status, and expert care as they go through the recovery process.

3. Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy

Individual therapy provides people with a safe space to explore their emotions, identify destructive thought patterns and behaviors, and replace them with mindfulness and healthy coping skills. It seeks to treat not just addiction and cheating, but also their underlying causes.

If a couple is experiencing relationship issues due to addiction and infidelity, couples therapy can improve conflict resolution and communication skills and help restore lost trust and intimacy. Group therapy can be helpful for family members who are facing the same struggles at home.

4. Support Groups for Addiction Recovery

A support group gives its members the chance to connect with people in similar situations and share comfort, encouragement, and advice with one another. It builds a sense of community and reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are highly beneficial for recovery.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Infidelity Recovery Institute, and Infidelity Survivors Anonymous are several well-known and established support groups for individuals who are healing from addiction and cheating.

How to Help a Loved One Who Is Struggling With Addiction

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction and cheating, there are several things you can do to support them during this tough time and guide them on the path to recovery:

• Open Communication: Stay open and honest with your loved one. Allow them to feel safe and comfortable in sharing their struggles and personal experiences with you, and don’t hesitate to offer emotional support when they need it.
• Healthy Environment: Being in a healthy environment with positive and encouraging people will help your loved one heal and recover from addiction faster. Try to incorporate healthy habits into their lifestyle, including a nutritious diet and exercise routine.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear, fair, and healthy boundaries with your loved one to encourage recovery and protect your relationship. In a kind but firm way, ensure that these boundaries are respected, and hold your loved one accountable for their actions.
• Seek treatment: Consult a mental health professional or visit an addiction treatment center so that you and your loved one can understand the effect of addiction on relationships, recognize triggers that lead to cheating, and learn healthy coping skills.

Take the Next Step Towards Addiction Recovery With Live Free

The connection between addiction and cheating is a complex one, and both can create a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break without professional help. If you or a loved one is struggling, know that addiction is highly treatable and that the care and support you need is always available.

At Live Free Recovery Services, we offer evidence-based treatment programs to help you recover from addiction, rebuild relationships, and regain trust. Our clean, comfortable, and peaceful recovery center in New Hampshire is the perfect place to start your recovery journey.

We provide a full range of treatments, including medical detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, family therapy, and support groups. Contact us today or visit our contact page to learn how you can nurture healthy relationships and live an addiction-free life.