What is disclosure?

If you're reading this, you likely understand the immense pain and confusion that secrets of infidelity bring. At Affair Recovery, we know that navigating the aftermath of betrayal is one of the hardest journeys a couple can face. One of the most challenging, yet critical, steps on the path to healing is disclosure, which is why we're conducting this brief survey. We want to be better equipped to help others through what is often described as the most painful part of a very painful process.

Infidelity is, by nature, the keeping of secrets, and those secrets rob the betrayed spouse of their reality and choice. But bringing the truth into the light, through a guided and safe disclosure process, is where true healing can begin. Will you take a few minutes to fill out our anonymous Disclosure Survey? Your personal experience, whether you are the betrayed or the wayward partner, is valuable to us here at Affair Recovery.

So, what exactly is disclosure in the context of infidelity? It's more than discovery day (or D-Day), which often includes someone getting caught in their web of secrets or confessing to an affair.

Ideally, the unfaithful partner abandons their shame and guilt, and from a place of concern for their partner, gives the truth and answers questions. For the betrayed partner, it means hearing painful truths that can be re-traumatizing, even while it's necessary for healing.

This is why staggered disclosure, or I like to call it "trickle truth," is so damaging. Revealing information in bits and pieces, driven primarily by the unfaithful partner's shame, will only prolong the agony and further erode trust. This makes healing significantly harder. While painful, complete disclosure is the cornerstone of rebuilding a relationship after infidelity. It's about creating a new foundation that is built on honesty, even when the truth is difficult. For the betrayed partner, having the full truth allows them to make informed choices about their future and their healing journey. It gives them back a sense of agency that the infidelity took away. For the wayward partner, it's an act of accountability and a crucial step in demonstrating a commitment to authenticity and change. Without a clear understanding of what happened, it's incredibly difficult to move forward and truly heal.

Taking this brief survey is an opportunity to contribute to a greater understanding of the topic of disclosure so we can help others who are just beginning their recovery. Your voice matters. Your anonymity is protected, and your honest feedback is invaluable.

Thank you for your willingness to engage with this difficult but important topic and for being a part of the Affair Recovery community.