SEXUAL ADDICTION
Connye V. Robinson, LMSW
October 3, 2013
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX (OR SEX
ADDICTION)!
WHAT IS SEXUAL ADDICTION?





A recurring pattern of sexual fantasies, urges and
behaviors lasting six months or longer, which are not
caused by other issues like substance abuse, another
medical condition or manic episodes associated with bipolar
disorder;
A pattern of sexual activity in response to unpleasant mood
states, such as feeling depressed, or a pattern of repeatedly
using sex as a way of coping with stress;
A lack of ability to reduce or stop sexual activities the
patient believes are problematic; and
Evidence of "personal distress" caused by the behavior, like
interference with work or relationships.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/science-says-sex-addiction-real-disorder-andhere%E2%80%99s-how-diagnose-it

Sexual Addiction goes beyond REALLY enjoying
sex!
MERRY-GO-ROUND OF ADDICTION
Negative
Mood State
Repeat
Fantasy/
Guilt/shame
Trigger
Consummation/
Pleasure
“THE LITTLE PRINCE”
EXUPERY
BY
DE SAINT-
The Little Prince: Why do you drink?
The Tippler: Because I am ashamed.
The Little Prince: Why are you ashamed?
The Tippler: Because I drink.
EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL ADDICTIVE
BEHAVIORS
Pornography
 Voyeurism
 Exhibitionism
 Compulsive Masturbation
 Prostitution/multiple partners w/o emotional
attachment
 Phone and/or cybersex

LET’S TALK NUMBERS
17 to 37 million Americans are sexually addicted
(Hagedorn, 2009).
 Every second, $3075.62 is spent. This makes the
revenue from the pornography industry LARGER
than the revenues of Microsoft, Google, Amazon,
eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and Earthlink…(and
FIVERchamp) combined. (Olivas, Liu & Wallitsch, 2008)
 A sexually addicted individual spends and
estimated18-48 hours/week on the internet
compared to 5-20 hours for a non-addicted
individual. (Jones & Hertlein, 2012)

CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL ADDICTION
Social
 Emotional
 Physical
 Legal
 Financial and/or occupational
 Spiritual

Generally speaking a sex addict would suffer the
consequences in multiple categories.
FACES OF THE SEXUALLY ADDICTED
J
e
n
n
i
f
e
r
FACES OF THE SEXUALLY ADDICTED
J
a
m
e
s
FACES OF THE SEXUALLY ADDICTED
N
i
c
o
l
e
FACES OF THE SEXUALLY ADDICTED
P
h
i
l
THE CLINICIAN AND THE SEXUALLY
ADDICTED
TREATMENT
Frame of reference (Religious, political, medical
etc.)
 Research
 DSM classification (or lack thereof)
 Gaps

ASSESSMENT TOOLS
Sexual Addiction Scale of the Disorders
Screening Inventory (SAS).
 Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI).
 Sexual Dependency Inventory-Revised (SDI-R).
 Perceived Sexual Control Scale (PSCS).
 Geros Sexual Behavior Index (GSBI).
 Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS).
 Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST).
 Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Women
(WSAST).

RESOURCES-BOOKS
Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual
Addiction by Patrick Carnes
 Contrary to Love by Patrick Carnes
 Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction by Dr.
Mark Laaser
 The Pornography Trap by Dr. Mark Lasser and
Ralph Earle
 When You Love Too Much by Stephen Arterburn
 I Surrender All by Clay & Renee Crosse

RESOURCES CONT. (TEXAS)

Sex Addicts Anonymous: Meetings in Texas http://saarecovery.org/Meetings/UnitedStates/meeting.php?state=TX

State of Texas: Behavioral and Mental Health http://www.texas.gov/en/discover/Pages/topic.aspx?topicid=/
health/mental
REFERENCES




Family Safe Media. http://www.familysafemedia.com/pornography_statistics.html
Ford, J., Durtschi, J., Franklin, D. (2012). Structural Therapy with a Couple Battlling Pornography
Addiction. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 40: 336-348.
Hagedorn, W. B. (2009). Sexual Addiction Counseling Competencies: Empirically-Based Tools for Preparing
Clinicians to Recognize, Assess, and Treat Sexual Addiction. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity,16:190-209.
Hook, J. , Hook, J., Davis, D., Worthington, E., & Penberthy, J.K. (2010). Measuring Sexual Addiction and
Compulsivity: A Critical Review of Instruments. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 36:227-260.

Levine, S. (2010) . What is Sexual Addiction? Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 36:261-275.

Olivas, M., Liu, N. & Wallitsch, L. (2008). The Study of Men and Sexual Addictions.

Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew, http://www.vh1.com/shows/sex_rehab_with_dr_drew/series.jhtml

UCLA study http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/science-says-sex-addiction-real-disorder-andhere%E2%80%99s-how-diagnose-it
THANK YOU!
(FOR NOT HAVING QUESTIONS )