If you forgave your spouse please read…
My husband had a year-long addiction battle.
He lied to me about it when I first found out.
Then he lied again when I found more.
I supported him through what I thought was recovery, but he never actually stopped during that time.
I later found out he opened a credit card I didn’t know about and spent around $5,000 on it. The interest rate is 27%, so now we’re stuck making minimum payments trying to keep up.
Since then, he has fully stopped the addiction and also quit nightly drinking. We’ve been in counseling, and it’s been about 3–4 months since everything finally came out.
The problem is… I can’t get over the dishonesty. I still cry almost every day and replay everything constantly in my head. I feel emotionally exhausted and disconnected.
I told him I’m considering getting an apartment to have space and clarity because I honestly don’t know what I want long term right now. We also have kids, which makes everything feel heavier. He told me he may not be around if I leave and later decide I want to come back. He’s very hurt that I’ve been emotionally and physically distant since all of this happened.
I guess I’m asking people who have actually been through betrayal/addiction in marriage:
Have you truly forgiven your spouse after this kind of dishonesty? How long did it take? What actually helped you heal or rebuild trust?
TL;DR: Husband hid an addiction for over a year, lied multiple times, hid debt, and only fully came clean 3–4 months ago. He’s now sober and trying, but I still feel devastated and disconnected. Considering getting my own apartment for clarity. Looking for advice from people who’ve rebuilt trust after addiction and dishonesty in marriage