Hi, I’m new here. My husband is a sex addict and he’s currently in inpatient treatment for it. I’m struggling with understanding some of the boundaries that are put in place during the inpatient treatment and aftercare/release process. Would anyone here who is further down the road to recovery be comfortable answering some questions about it? This is not being used for research, just to help me understand our situation better.

Inpatient has a rule about no physical affection during visits or family week. This not only includes sexual contact, but all other forms of touch including kissing, hugging, hand holding etc. How did this rule help or not help you? In what ways? What were/are your thoughts and feelings about it?

It seems to be standard practice at this facility to recommend a therapeutic separation following release. Was this helpful or not? In what ways? What were/are your thoughts and feelings about it? How did this impact your relationship (if in one)?

Also recommended for aftercare/release is 90 days of complete sexual abstinence. If you’ve experienced this or similar, was it helpful to your recovery or not? In what ways? What were/are your thoughts and feelings about it? If you were married at the time or in a similar form of committed relationship, how did this impact it?

Thank you very much for your time and help. I’m really struggling with this as the spouse of a sex addict, and I think hearing other perspectives may help or at least bring more clarity.