|
Sex Addiction
A Special Section of HealthyMind.com
Sex addiction is a destructive and difficult problem. It ruins relationships, loses jobs, causes arrests, and destroys self-esteem and physical health. Millions of people are affected. And it is not primarily a moral problem. It is a problem of out-of-control feelings and behaviors. However, where there is a desire to recover there is hope.
The following information about recovery is located both on this site and elsewhere. Many of pages are versions of handouts that I use in my practice. Some have redundant content because they are designed to be used as individual handouts rather than as a group.
If you did not read the general page on addictions you can read it here. Good luck!
- = pages elsewhere on the web
What Is Sex Addiction?
A very brief outline of the process of becoming addicted and recovering from addiction
A list of behavioral criteria that describe sexual addiction
An exceptional article about the nature of sexual addiction. It originally appeared in a St. Louis newspaper and is a MUST READ for anyone attempting to understand sexual addiction.
A description of sex addiction by Dr. Patrick Carnes, probably the best known expert in this field in the United States. His book "Don't call it love" is the standard in the field about the nature of sex addiction. It can be ordered from his site, or from Amazon.com
A diagram showing the cyclical nature of addiction and the components that contribute to it
Two graphs depicting the long term effects of addiction and recovery on ones sense of well-being
An online test to help you evaluate your sexual behavior by Dr. Patrick Carnes, Ph.D.
Sue William Silverman has written a book describing in very poignant and honest language the story of her recovery from sex addiction. It gives a good feel for the emotional terrain that some people experience in their recovery. This link goes to her website where you can read an excerpt from the book and order one.
A compilation of statistics about internet porn using the year 2003 as an example.
Getting Started
Making Progress
Relationships
Relationship patterns that frequently occur when one partner has an addiction
Cognitive-Behavioral Helps
Very helpful ideas about how to cope with cravings and urges
Working through cognitive distortions is a basic skill needed for recovery. Here is a list of common errors we make in our thinking.
Anxiety is probably THE trigger for sexual acting out. Here are some cognitive therapy helps specifically about anxiety.
Here are some first-rate suggestions for staying sober while traveling.
Gaining a Long Term Perspective
What one has to accept about sex addiction for the long haul...and what one doesn't.
Making a Recovery and Relapse Prevention Plan
Useful Web Sites
Here are a few web sites that talk about sexual addiction. Let me know if you find one that should be included here.
12-Step Groups
Your best bet for getting good information about 12-step meeetings in your area is to contact the national groups; they all have information for this purpose. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with specific help or meetings in cities than Washington, DC.
The following 12-Step fellowships are for friends and family of sexual compulsives, or for couples. Also, I have written a page here with information and recommendations for the partners and spouses of sex addicts.
For families and friends of sex addicts. If you're from the Washington, DC area there is a local meeting for spouses/partners of sex addicts. You may contact them at cosa@sexaddiction.us.
For families and friends of sex addicts
Even though AlAnon came into being primarily for the families of alcoholics, a wide variety of people attend the meetings, including the partners of individuals addicted to things other than alcohol. These meetings can be very helpful for the partners of sex addicts, particularly when no other meetings are available.
Professional Treatment
Outpatient Treatment Possibilities
- In the Washington, DC metropolitan area:
Feel free to give me (Dr. Bissette) a call at 202-596-6036.
- For other cities your best sources of information will be to contact the following:
The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health website has a list of professionals who treat sex addiction, complete with phone numbers (and sometimes web links.)
The Meadows (1-800-MEADOWS) also maintains a list of outpatient therapists around the country.
Internet Behavior Consulting - David Delmonico, Ph.D.and Elizabeth Griffin, M.A., authors and consultants regarding cybersex addiction and other problematic internet behavior
Psychological Counseling Services of Scottsdale, Arizona. They have an outpatient program that includes a daily schedule of group and individual therapy that is very effective. People travel in from around the country to this program.
Sex Addiction Help - a group of psychotherapists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their site includes articles to help one understand sex addiction.
Sexual Recovery Institute - The Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles provides Southern California residents with outpatient sexual addiction treatment. They also offer short-term, intensive sexual addiction programs for out-of-state and international patients and a comprehensive professional assessment program.
www.HopeAndFreedom.com - Dr. Milton Magness specializes in three-day intensives in Houston and the Canadian Rockies for men and couples to jump start sex addiction recovery and also for relapse or "slip" recovery. (713) 630-0111.
Inpatient Treatment Possibilities
Unfortunately, I am unable to assist individuals in selecting a treatment center unless they are available to come in for an appointment to discuss their circumstances. I'm afraid I can't take long distance calls to discuss entry into residential treatment due to the large number of calls I receive. Sorry!
David C. Bissette, Psy.D. Alexandria, VA 202-596-6036
© 2004 David C. Bissette, Psy.D.
|
