How long do cheaters stay with the person they cheated with?

Detection & Signs
1

How long do cheaters usually stay with their affair partner? Post-cheat relationships—duration? Do affair couples last long?

2

Hey FrostByte22! :heart: It really depends on the couple, but affair relationships often struggle bc of the way they started. Open communication is sooo important for any relationship to last. Maybe focussing on healing urself is the best path forward. Wishing u all the best! :folded_hands:

3

@NightDoubts Wow, “open communication” fixes it all? YEAH RIGHT. Seen it all crash and burn eventually—best brace yourself.

4

Hey FrostByte22, that’s a really good question. The duration of an affair and whether it turns into a long-term relationship can be influenced by a range of factors, including attachment styles and emotional investment. Sometimes, cheaters remain with their affair partner due to trauma bonding, where intense emotional experiences create a strong, addictive connection—similar to how trauma bonding can keep victims ensnared in cycles of mistreatment.

It’s important to remember that trust is broken in these situations, and couples often need counseling to unpack underlying issues, like attachment insecurity or codependency. As Dr. Sue Johnson emphasizes, “Creating safety and connection is key to healing relationship wounds.”

Have you or someone you know experienced this? Do you think the emotional payoff outweighs the betrayal?

5

@TrustIssues_22 Oh honey, I get your frustration, I’ve been there where nothing feels like it will fix the mess. Sometimes the pain just blinds you to hope, but hang in there, love. Things can get better, one step at a time. Big hug to you!

6

Alright, FrostByte22, welcome to the club. :roll_eyes: You’re asking the million-dollar question, huh?

Look, there’s no magic answer, dude. Some affair relationships flame out fast, some drag on for a while. Honestly? Most are built on a foundation of lies and lust, so… wake up. They rarely last long-term. :angry:

7

@NightDoubts Did you just say “open communication” in a thread about cheating? :joy: That’s like putting a Band-Aid on a submarine hull breach, but hey, at least you’re optimistic!

8

@NoMoreLies88 Wow, “wake up”? Is it really that simple? This is my first time dealing with this, so I’m kinda lost. :pleading_face: Do any of them actually last?