Addiction in Society

I don't remember who said it, but I remember the line: "Sex is like money; only too much is enough."

There are many addictions that people can be drawn into, and they are very hard to get rid of. I've honestly never heard about SEX being an addiction, but it's been around for ever. Everyone has sex but it also depends on who they have sex with and if they use protection. Yah sure anyone can sleep with anyone but it also is a matter of if the person doesn't have and STI's and STD's. They spread like butter, it's very easy to catch something, and most of the time you can't visually tell if someone is infected. Anyone could say that they aren't and then actually be, it's a scary world now a days. I honestly don't think that there is a treatment for people who are addicited to sex, it's all in there mind and if they want it they are going to get it one way or another. It doesn't matter what age you are or what colour or what religion you believe in.. you can have sex no matter what, just stay protected!

As usual Dr. Peele minimizes the effects of compulsive sexual activity in order to promote his "anti-disease" agenda about addiction (perhaps his own personal obsession/compulsion). This has been his strategy for decades. Yes, it's cute to talk about sexual appetites as only being "normal". However, as in most addictions, it's not the "object" (shopping, sexual frequency, food, etc.) but the effects of the compulsive relationship to the object: life unmanageability, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, continued "use" despite escalating negative consequences and perhaps, neurochemical changes in the brain associated with the dopaminergic/reward system. Compulsive extra-marital affairs, commercial sex usage (prostitution, sexual massages), masturbation, pornography (especially internet use) have destroyed people's lives, marriages and families. These are not "normal" libidinous urges. The individual who utilizes these "objects" compulsively usually needs more and more stimulation, increasing amounts of time given over to the obsessive thoughts and actions associated with the particular activity and faces increased anxiety, depression and deep psychic pain if they cease to engage in these activities. Frequently, even after the loss of marriage, employment, friendships they persist in their compulsive behaviors. Is it a "disease"? Hard to say. Is it an addiction for these particular individuals? Undeniably. Dr Peele does the public a disservice by claiming otherwise. I would suggest that interested clinicians (or those who might think they have a sexual addiction) peruse the following list (taken from Wikipedia) of literature on the subject:

Science based (research based) books on sexual addiction:

Sexual Addiction: an integrated approach, AVIEL GOODMAN, Madison, CT, International *Universities Press, Inc. 1998,ISBN 0 8236 6063
Carnes, P. (1983). Out of the shadows: Understanding sexual addiction. Minneapolis, MN: CompCare.
Carnes, P. ( 1991). Don't call it love: Recovery from sexual addiction. New York: Bantam Books.
Carnes P., Kenneth M. Adams (2002). Clinical Management of Sex Addiction.
Cooper, PhD, Al Cybersex: The Dark Side of The Force A Special Issue of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity.
Cooper, PhD, Al Sex and the Internet: A Guidebook for Clinicians
Earle, Ralph, and Marcus Earle Sex Addiction: Case Studies and Management New York: Brunner Mazel, 1995.
Jennifer Schneider, M.D., Ph.D. and Robert Weiss, M.S.W., C.A.S. Cybersex Exposed.
Milkman. H., & Sunderwirth, S. (1987). Craving for ecstasy: The consciousness and chemistry of escape. New York: Lexington Books.
Schaeffer, Brenda Is It Love or is it Addiction? Second Edition Center City, MN: Hazelden, 1997.

when you stated that sex addiction was a rockstar haveing an affair with a hollywood hottie, i thought "this guys having a laugh" but as I read on I realized you were serious. just so you know, sex addiction is when some one has uncontrollable sexual urges. for instance compulsive masterbation (like in public restrooms, churches, schools etc) or blows every cent they have on prostitutes when they are admittedly happily married. sex addiction is NOT being a little hurt when your honney finds a new lover. its the progressive distruction of someones life through sex and urges. just so you know

thanks for raising awareness about shopping addiction! I'm currently battling one. I read recently that shopping addicts - and other behavior-related addicts - often share multiple addiction types. Sex addicts are reportedly often shopping addicts. There are some great warning signs here: 58 Warning Signs of a Shopping Addiction