The three primary elements for a diagnosis of sexual addiction are as follows: Preoccupation to the point of obsession with sexual fantasies and behaviors Loss of control over sexual fantasies and behaviors, typically evidenced by multiple failed attempts to either quit, alter, or curtail these activities Negative life consequences directly related to out-of-control sexual fantasies …
Read more
Addiction and the Brain Addiction is sometimes referred to as a “brain disease,” primarily because it is the brain’s neurochemical pleasure response that drives it. Put simply, addictive substances and behaviors trigger the release of various pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters – primarily dopamine but also adrenaline, oxytocin, serotonin, and a variety of endorphins – into the nucleus …
Read more
At the age of 19, Devin’s parents, when he was home on summer break from college, learned that he was looking at gay porn on his laptop, and that he had posted his profile on several gay hookup apps. As members of a conservative religion, they sought advice from their pastor, who told them that …
Read more
As mentioned in part one of this blog, sexual addiction can be difficult to identify. Because of its highly secretive nature (the addict’s denial/unwillingness to disclose), even therapists sometimes struggle to uncover and diagnose active sexual addiction. The good news here is that there are some basic tools that can be used to identify (or …
Read more
There are three main criteria for the diagnosis of sexual addiction: Preoccupation to the point of obsession with sexual fantasies and behaviors – online and off, with self and/or others Loss of control over sexual fantasies and behaviors, typically evidenced by multiple failed attempts to either quit or curtail these activities Negative life consequences directly …
Read more
Cindy and Tim When Cindy met Tim, she fell for him almost immediately. “He just came in and swept me off my feet,” she says. “He was so confident, handsome and successful that I couldn’t resist.” Within a year, they were married and living in an upscale condo situated in the heart of their city’s …
Read more
In my previous posting to this site I discussed the ways in which men who engage in sexual infidelity justify their behavior. Essentially, they tell themselves that what they are doing does not qualify as cheating because they’re only hooking up online, or they’re only having oral sex, or whatever. They seem to think that …
Read more
In my previous posting to this site, I wrote about the reasons that women sometimes engage in sexual infidelity, promising that I’d take a look at men in this week’s blog. So, as promised, here is part one of my take on male cheaters…
Whether hookups are made on Craigslist, Facebook or apps like Tinder and Ashley Madison (the de facto market leaders in the infidelity industry), digital interactivity provides those interested in cheating with a sense of safety, anonymity and immediacy. It’s no wonder that increasing numbers of people – many of whom would never have sought extramarital …
Read more
