Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed spouse whose sex addict husband isn’t doing the work. He says that he won’t act out anymore because she’s “fixed” after all the therapy she’s doing. What kind of logic is this? Dr. Rob calls out this deflection behavior and wants every betrayed spouse to remember three important and critical things about themselves.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] My husband says he’ll kill himself before he’ll act out again. Not sure what to make out of this? Should I...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a distraught mother who has no idea how to work through her daughter’s feelings and emotions about her father’s sexual betrayal. Despite the young daughter going to a therapist, the mother is receiving news from him that she should be 100% honest with her daughter about what’s happening in the household. Dr. Rob weighs in on how this isn’t healthy or good advice, and how to best approach this instead.   TAKEAWAYS: [:45] My 9-year-old daughter found...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about how a betrayed spouse can work towards forgiving their partner who is suffering from sex addiction or other related issues. Many addicts fail to understand why it takes their spouse so long to recover from their betrayal. Dr. Rob explains from a betrayed spouse’s point of view how, and when, to move forward.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] What’s the difference between chronic cheating vs. being a sex addict? [3:55] It’s easy for SA to justify their poor behaviors. [4:45]...

Dr. Rob and Tami discuss whether a listener is truly living a sober life. The listener asked if it’s okay to m********e to pictures of their own body now that they’re sober from porn. Dr. Rob weighs in on his interesting thoughts on the matter. Dr. Rob also answers questions about when is a good time to initiate intimacy with a SA, and much more.   TAKEAWAYS: [:45] My addict is doing “borderline” sketchy behavior but hasn’t actually done anything or crossed a line. Should I be mad? [7:10]...

Dr. Rob and Tami offer advice from a husband who has betrayed his spouse. Although he’s been sober for 22 months now, his wife still feels so hurt by his past actions. He automatically wants to be on the defensive when she’s upset, but can’t. What are some of the best ways he can comfort his wife? Dr. Rob and Tami share different approaches to help this couple move forward and toward healing.   TAKEAWAYS: [:25] My spouse and I each have our own therapists. Does it ever make sense for us to...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from someone who is “white knuckling” their recovery. They’re not leveraging their resources to the fullest because their recovery and journey to sobriety are still in secret. Dr. Rob and Tami explain why this isn’t considered a healthy path to long-term recovery, despite being sober.   TAKEAWAYS: [:50] I really feel like his recovery journey is too good to be true. Is he really progressing, or is it all still a lie? [9:45] I am 100 days sober, but my...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about sex offenders in this week’s episode and how to work with someone who exposes themselves to people non-consensually. The listener admits that her husband has been exposing himself in public parks for a number of years and is concerned that there is no hope for this person in recovery. Dr. Rob and Tami talk about how you begin to work a recovery program as a sex offender.    TAKEAWAYS: [:50] Will my spouse unlearn his toxic masculinity while in recovery? [4:00]...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about compulsive liars in this week’s episode and the reasoning behind someone who can’t seem to tell the truth. If you are a betrayed spouse to someone who regularly lies and deceives, it can be hard to understand why lying can be the go-to safety mechanism for protection. Dr. Rob explains further in this episode why some addicts just can’t stop lying.   TAKEAWAYS: [:30] Why is sex addiction not about sex? [3:35] I had a relapse and my partner is fed up. I want to...

Dr. Rob and Tami discuss if it’s possible for an addict to get better when he/she shows all the signs of not putting in the work. Will this person ever wake up to the reality of the pain that they’re causing friends and family? And if not, what can the partner do to protect themself from this situation? Dr. Rob and Tami answer all of this and more.   TAKEAWAYS: [:30] I’m on my last hope with my partner. Will he ever get sober? [5:35] The path to recovery is bumpy, but so worth it. [8:20]...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about whether your children can become addicts if there’s been generational evidence that addiction and disorders run in the family lineage. The listener also asks if it makes sense to Dr. Rob and Tami to disclose their spouse’s addiction to their grown children to warn them about this disease being hereditary. This can be a bit of a complicated question to answer, but Dr. Rob and Tami do a deep dive into ways to approach this subject.   TAKEAWAYS: [:30] I want to...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question on whether you can become “cured” of narcissism. Narcissism is very common among addicts, especially early in recovery. It’s important to note that there is a path forward to becoming a more empathic person, but there is a specific process to work through to achieve it. In this week’s episode, Dr. Rob and Tami explain that narcissism is often born from deep insecurity and offer important reasons why you should stay sober.   TAKEAWAYS: [:30] I think I’m...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer questions from listeners about setting healthy boundaries and what that might look like. You should never feel compelled to do something just to appease the other person, especially if they’re on a path to recovery. When you set a boundary, it’s not for them, it’s a way to take care and protect yourself. Dr. Rob and Tmai explain more in this week’s episode.   TAKEAWAYS: [1:00] I want to help my addict hear, but I don’t know how. What can I do to support him? [3:35]...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from an addict that is struggling with their own narcissism. Can this condition truly be cured? In this episode, Dr. Rob and Tami explain what a narcissist is and why so many people in recovery have narcissistic traits and qualities.   TAKEAWAYS: [:45] How do you work with narcissists? [3:35] Dr. Rob explains how you can work on breaking out of your narcissistic mold. [5:30] Part of recovery is being 100% honest. If you’re honest, your narcissism will...

Dr. Rob and Tami help someone going through the 9th step process and are currently struggling to reconcile with their wife during this process. His partner still feels incredibly hurt and he is wondering how he can make amends while also soothing her. Dr. Rob and Tami give insight on what living amends really means.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] Do addicts also suffer from fertility issues? [6:00] Whatever you’re ashamed of, tell your doctor. You won’t get the help you need unless you’re honest with...

Dr. Rob and Tami walk through someone who is struggling to figure out whether they should pour more energy into their loved one or if they should finally make the tough decision to separate. Dr. Rob understands that the listener wants to make sure they’ve exhausted all their options so that they can leave the relationship ‘with no regret’, but he explains why that’s not always the best approach.    TAKEAWAYS: [:30] Should I stay or should I go?  [2:45] I want to make sure I’ve exhausted...

Dr. Rob and Tami talk about why a family might put all the focus and blame on the betrayed spouse and not look at the actual family member (their son or daughter who is the one struggling with the addiction) to put their anger and disappointment on. Dr. Rob shares a bit of a reminder that you’re working with a broken family unit and they will lash out in unhealthy ways to cope.    TAKEAWAYS: [:25] How do I concentrate and retain information better?  [7:15] It might be beneficial to see if...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from someone who is struggling to be intimate with their life-long partner. As an addict, it is so much easier to act out and live in a fantasy than live in reality. The reality is, we often do not know how to connect and build real relationships when we’re in active addiction. Dr. Rob and Tami share how you can break this toxic cycle and build true and meaningful relationships now that you’re sober.    TAKEAWAYS: [0:25] How do I get over cravings as a...

Dr. Rob and Tami dive into what should an addict do if they’re working around the opposite sex. Obviously, quitting is not always an option nor does it solve the core problem. Dr. Rob offers advice on how to set healthy boundaries with female coworkers and how to ensure you’re still respecting your spouse in this entire process.   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] Should my husband remain abstinent for 90 days? [6:00] What is a love addict? [8:55] It can take two years to really have a good and intimate...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from someone who is in recovery, but their partner is not. Is there hope for this relationship? Dr. Rob breaks down why you have to focus on your own journey if you want to get the most out of your sobriety. Maybe your partner will come around, maybe not. Dr. Rob and Tami explain what this means for you.   TAKEAWAYS: [1:05] How can I get over the betrayal and his relapse? [7:00] One session once a week is just not going to cut it. [10:30] Most addicts...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a man who is struggling to find honesty and empathy during his journey through recovery. His therapist believes he should dive into his childhood traumas, but he’s unsure of the reasoning behind it. Dr. Rob explains that the way we feel as a child is how we treat our spouses when we grow up. So, if we felt unworthy of love, unseen, or completely ignored, we will do the same to those that are closest to us.   TAKEAWAYS: [1:05] I’m trying to meet a...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed partner on how to process through everything that has happened to her. She has found out about her addict’s affairs and isn’t sure how to process or begin the journey of healing. Dr. Rob and Tami share some tips to get the process jumpstarted.   TAKEAWAYS: [1:05] I’ve been betrayed and my therapist tells me I need to process through the betrayal. What does that even mean? [7:00] Dr. Rob was getting a massage and he started crying....

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a betrayed spouse that experienced sexual assault when she was younger. Her SA partner’s brother was being very disrespectful and chose not to listen to her wishes/boundaries and intentionally triggered her PTSD. When you’re in a situation where you’re with mean or rude family members, what should you do or focus on? Dr. Rob and Tami share their thoughts and advice.    TAKEAWAYS: [:25] I have performance anxiety and ED issues due to chemsex. How...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a heavy question from a listener about whether she should be concerned that her husband is around their children after he revealed some of his porn preferences. Dr. Rob weighs in on his thoughts and what you should do when you find out your addict has been watching very disturbing and “not normal” porn.   TAKEAWAYS: [:25] My husband suffers from depression and it’s starting to drag me down. How can I better support myself and him? [3:30] Dr. Rob shares a...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a listener's question who feels very stuck and hopeless. She feels trapped because it seems the aggression in sex with her addict is getting worse and worse. He has intense sexual fantasies throughout the day and wants to keep acting out with them. Is there hope for someone like this?   TAKEAWAYS: [:35] I have performance anxiety. I can’t seem to perform now that I’m sober. [2:20] Intimacy is scary. How do you talk about your performance anxiety? [4:45] My SA...

Dr. Rob and Tami answer a question from a very upset listener. Her partner is accusing her of being unfaithful after the discovery because he feels she will just want to cheat back after finding out about everything this man has done. She is furious that this man is projecting his insecurities onto her. Dr. Rob and Tami share how this woman can protect herself, heal herself, and move forward from this projection.   TAKEAWAYS: [:50] Should my SA husband be treated for OCD? [4:45] I keep...