Rick Reynolds, LCSW
by Rick Reynolds, LCSW
Founder & President, Affair Recovery

Discovery: Why do I Want to Know?

discovery why i need to knowLast week we kicked off our discussion on disclosure and the processing of details by giving you an example of our protocol right from our Free First Steps Bootcamp for Surviving Infidelity.

Today I’d like to follow up with that discussion and present three compelling questions every betrayed spouse must use as a litmus test to finding out new information in recovery. They are as follows:

  1. Why do I want to know?
  2. How will it help me (us) move forward?
  3. Am I asking a comparison question which will only keep me stuck?  

These are key elements to the process of disclosure and understanding what has happened. Without a key understanding of general details of the affair(s) or addiction, it’s likely the betrayed spouse will not be able to heal and recommit to the marriage or process of recovery. At the very least, they will not be able to successfully re-engage their spouse in the recovery process.

However, as you’ll hear from me today, there is a moment where you understand the betrayed spouse has found out ‘enough information’ to move forward in recovery, despite the need to ask more questions. *Please note* in my video today I’m not referencing the couple where the spouse continues to withhold information and refuses to share details of their affair(s) or addiction.

I thought it best to go into the studio to discuss these three questions and I hope my explanation will foster not only healing, but a commitment on the side of both spouses to engage one another in a process oriented approach to personal restoration.

Get started now with our free First Steps Bootcamp for Surviving Infidelity, .

If you need help repairing the damage infidelity or addiction has caused you both, consider our EMS Weekend. It’s a life saver for those in crisis. Please know our weekend is dedicated to the recovery of BOTH spouses in the marriage.  While the unfaithful needs help understanding their own road to recovery and relapse prevention, the betrayed spouse needs critical care for trauma, understanding how to trust again and their own pathway to forgiveness.

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Lack of full disclosure is painful.

Submitted by Tellum (not verified) on

The biggest obstacle to my healing has been my ex-wife's refusal to admit when her serial affairs began, and the number and length of her affairs over our 20 year marriage. It's maddening and torments me to this day (over two years later). There is no closure, as there is simply no way to evaluate what happened without knowing when the infidelity began.

Her refusal to be honest was the main reason I gave up and filed for divorce. I just felt that if she wouldn't be honest with me, especially about when she had her first affair during the marriage (it was years before she admitted), I would never be safe with her if I stayed.

I know it sounds crazy of me to say this, but if she would have just told me the truth about everything, as hurtful as it would have been, we might have been able to work through it. I mean, what she admitted to (multiple affairs) was bad, but I was in counseling with her. I loved her so much, and did not want to divorce her. But she would not be honest (which I have subsequently been able to confirm). Standing there with blood running from the stab wounds to my back (figuratively), I had to force myself to go through with the divorce. It was made even harder seeing her hysterical over my decision and seeing her down on her knees begging me not to give up on us. Still, she would not be honest. Two years after the divorce she said one of her affairs may have been a couple of years longer than the 10 months she claimed. Still not true, it was longer.

To any person reading this who cares one ounce for the person whose life and soul they have firebombed, at a minimum, tell the person you betrayed the truth about when, where, and how long. You owe them that, and they by God paid the price of admission to see what's behind the curtain. Even if you don't stay together (meaning it won't benefit YOU), do one critical, merciful, and unselfish act for the person you, and you alone, changed forever. Tell them the truth. Otherwise, you inflict unending pain on the person you betrayed, and create huge and unnecessary obstacles to obtaining effective treatment for the emotional trauma they are suffering.

Enough?

Submitted by A S (not verified) on

I think in a perfect world with the "few" real remoreful people, youre very right about enough is enough.
However, Im not dealing with that. I felt inside my soul for many years that my husband was with someone else or others. For over 6 years, he made craigslist ads, was on fet, swingers, discreet sites. Im not a fool. Why anyone would want to unsult their spouse's intelligence and put their life at risk with STDs, etc..is beyond by comprehension.
My problem is not knowing. My problem is dealing with the FACT, my husband never came forward on his own. He was always caught. He was caught this last time and on the very day he was caught, he had sexted with one of the 2 women that I knew about. I dont feel the infidelity is our problem. Having a real conscience, and feeling remorse or concern for me is the problem. He has never admitted on his own what he had done. Essentially, I was no one in his heart or mind. The more I research, the more I see now, Im married to a person with the narcissistic personality disorder. I hope as you are giving counseling to so many, that not every case is the same. Not every soul has these feelings of concern or remorse. Many are just caught and made to be responsible. Not feeling remorseful on their own. :(