This article was co-authored by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW and by How.com.vn staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 47,056 times.
We’ve all heard the saying “Once a cheater, always a cheater.” But does it ring true? Just because someone cheats once, does it mean they will cheat again? Turns out, it’s not quite that simple (is anything, ever?). There are a lot of factors that go into why somebody might have an affair, making the statement “Once a cheater, always a cheater” less black and white than it may seem. If you want to learn more, keep reading. We’ve got the downlow on infidelity: why it happens, signs someone might cheat again, and whether the phrase "Once a cheater, always a cheater" has any truth to it.
Things You Should Know
- “Once a cheater, always a cheater” is not always true. A person who has cheated may never cheat again, or they may cheat many times.
- Someone who has cheated in the past is statistically more likely to cheat in the future than someone who hasn’t, but this doesn’t guarantee a repeat offender.
- People cheat for all sorts of reasons: low self-esteem, relationship dissatisfaction, or just for the thrill. None of these are excuses for betrayal.
- Keep an eye out for red flags that someone may cheat again, including insincere apologies, continual lying (even tiny lies!), and belittling past infidelity.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow do you get back trust after your partner cheats?Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSWKelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
PsychotherapistFirst, be patient with yourself because it takes time to trust again. You may not trust them right away, but you can regain your trust. Talk to them about how you feel, and pay attention to their actions. Over time, you'll learn to trust again if your partner is reliable and honest.
Tips
- Pay attention to your partner's actions. They should be reliable and honest so that you can trust them.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28785917/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28785917/
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-people-in-relationships-cheat/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/sex-addiction/2014/12/can-serial-cheaters-change#1
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-people-in-relationships-cheat/
- ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-people-in-relationships-cheat/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/sex-addiction/2014/12/can-serial-cheaters-change#1
- ↑ https://www.baltimoretherapycenter.com/once-a-cheater-always-a-cheater-true-or-false/
- ↑ https://brenebrown.com/podcast/harriet-lerner-and-brene-im-sorry-how-to-apologize-why-it-matters-part-1-of-2/
About This Article
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.