Melanie*, an attractive brunette, sat across from me looking down at the soggy remains of a tissue in her hand. She revealed the recent counsel she and her husband received from their pastor the week prior. He had listened to both sides, looked in her eyes, and said, “If you were more available sexually for your husband, this would reduce his need to go elsewhere for gratification.” Shocked and broken, Melanie came to me for clarification.

Though I am not a counselor, I’ve heard many similar stories and have myself walked the path of a wounded wife. During the past seven years, many women like Melanie have been encouraged through our Monday night support group called, Healing Hearts. I have witnessed firsthand how being informed ensures hurting individuals are better cared for. I am also acutely aware that those who are less informed are more likely to re-injure or give poor advice. I believe every pastor and leader is well intentioned, but the damage of good intentions is still real. Having read many books and walked with dozens of hurting women, I know that not all receive wise counsel from church leaders.

By identifying major misconceptions I pray a door to greater understanding is opened and the number of emotional casualties is reduced. Families affected by sexual addiction are a growing demographic. This is a problem too big to ignore and too delicate to address without a deeper knowledge of the problem. Here are six of the most widely held misconceptions.

Misconception #1. Sexual Addiction is about sex.

The idea that a man would substitute fantasy, gratifying himself, or paying a stranger instead of loving his wife in a guilt free marital relationship simply isn’t logical. These men love their wives and want nothing more than to be free from a compulsion that pulls them away from their marriage vows.  In reality, sexual addiction is about misusing the natural drugs (endorphins) our body produces when aroused in order to temporarily numb emotional pain. God created this “super-glue” of brain chemistry in order to cement marriages. Misused, the same glue forges the chains of addiction. Sexual addiction is about medicating pain. It’s not about sex. As with any addiction, there are deep roots well beneath the external symptom.

Misconception #2. Addicts need to just stop the behavior.

It is critical for addicts to get to the core issue—the pain. Focusing on the behavior goes nowhere. Finding the source and learning healthy coping mechanisms are critical tools for dealing with the deeper-rooted problem. This is much like a doctor, who understands the importance of getting past the symptoms to the root problem in order to find a cure. Focusing on the symptoms alone can lead to a misdiagnosis. A wrong turn which then leads away from health and recovery. The majority of the men trapped want to stop, but wanting isn’t enough. There is much soul-searching, gut wrenching work to be done first.