Blindsided by an Affair Part 3: Know Your Risk History

Avoiding Extramarital Affairs, Part 3
By John H. Thurman Jr., M.Div., M.A., LCMHC

As you continue to look at risk factors that can lead to an infidelity or cheating you must look at your risky history.
While I was in graduate school one of my fellow students asked the professor if there was ever a time that a person could be free of risks and temptation. The professor wisely pondered the student question and answered, “Of Course, when you are no longer breathing. Then it will not matter.”
Knowing and understanding how our family history and personality style work are important. However; we also need to be keenly aware of certain situations that can open us to higher risk factors of getting involved in an affair.
Cheaters rarely cheat in a vacuum.
A working knowledge of your risk factors will go a long way in protecting you from an affair.
Dave Carder’s research, in Close Calls, shows that there are certain “High Risk Zones that we need to keep an eye on.
High-Risk Times
• Times of loss
• Life Transitions
• Pregnancy
• Chronic, Long-Term Illness
High-Risk Behaviors
• Opposite Sex Friendships
• Workplace Affairs
• Hobbies
• Volunteer Opportunities
• “Soloing” in Public Places
• Fantasizing
• Internet
Live with your heart and eyes open.
John Thurman, M.Div ., M.A., LCMHC

For help in Affair Recovery contact John.
Check out Dave Carder's Torn Asunder, John's #1 for Affair Recover