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Infidelity In A Relationship Causes Higher Likelihood Of Alcohol Abuse And Binge Eating

When a partner cheats, the other partner experiences a range of emotions which can be very painful in nature. Betrayal, abandonment, rejection, insecurity, and loss are all common. Loss might be the most significant. Loss of trust in a relationship or loss of a relationship entirely due to infidelity leaves a gaping empty space in many people’s hearts. Coping with loss is coping with grief. Many people don’t see breakups of a relationship or infidelity in a relationship as something that would cause a grieving process- though they might see it as something that would cause someone a lot of grief. The grieving process takes time and randomly circulates through the experience of varying emotional experiences like depression, anger, and denial. A breakup or an episode of infidelity in a relationship is a reality-changer. Everything one thought about their partner, their relationship, and themselves, is changed- never to go back to the way it was entirely. Some relationships are able to mend after an episode of infidelity. Relationship counseling and individual therapy on the part of both partners can create resolution and skills for moving forward. Often, infidelity means the end of a relationship which typically means the end of an era in most people’s lives.

Not everyone takes it well. In fact, some people take infidelity personally and hold onto it for years to come. Unable to cope with the pain of loss and the tumultuous emotions of grief, they turn to external substances to soothe themselves. Research has found that there is a high link between experiencing infidelity in a relationship and turning to alcohol abuse as well as binge eating for comfort. For many, abusing food and alcohol become legitimate problems, inspiration a new list of issues to confront. Unprotected sex, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, disordered eating behaviors and compulsive exercise are all unhealthy ways the study from The University of Nevada found people coped with being cheated on. Forty-five percent of people didn’t eat as much as they needed to and forty-four percent abused alcohol.

 

Thousands of people come to treatment and recovery on the tail end of a breakup. The breakup and the episode of infidelity were catalyst to an underlying problem, which then needed to be masked through maladaptive behaviors. If you are struggling to cope with a break up and have found yourself turning to drugs and alcohol, treatment is available. Harmony Place offers a full continuum of care from detox to transitional living, making it easy to customize a plan of care tailored specifically to your needs. For a private assessment and more information, contact us today.