Attachment, Addiction, and Recovery: Conjoint Marital Therapy for Recovery from a Sexual Addiction

This study evaluated processes of conjoint therapy for married couples recovering from husbands' addictive use of pornography. We hypothesized that through conjoint couple therapy clinicians are able to help organize the relationship to sponsor recovery while also promoting essential relationship and individual healing for both spouses. Results demonstrated an increase in (a) marital trust and confidence in the future, (b) mutual softening, (c) the ability to discern key points of intervention sponsoring and supporting recovery, and (d) client-perceived marital enhancement. Conjoint marital therapy is recommended as a useful component in treating compulsive pornography consumption.