Spouses should be aware that sex addicts will increasingly be frustrated with sexual activity in marriage. They may learn to avoid sex altogether as a result of the sexual frustration or as a result of sexual activity outside the marriage. Sex addicts may make increasing demands for sex and certain types of sexual activity, or they may not be interested in sex at all.

An uneducated spouse will feel guilty that he or she can't fulfill the marital "obligation," as well as feel angry at or repulsed by the demands. It is difficult for Christian spouses to confront inappropriate sexual demands in marriage because they may assume it is their duty to be submissive. However, they need to assert their right to have sexual standards and preferences.

An educated spouse will know that no amount of sexual activity or level of attractiveness will be enough to satisfy an unrecovering sex addict. Even if the sex in marriage may seem quite good, he or she might not be aware of the partner's frustrations because the sex addict doesn't have the ability to articulate them.