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It Used To Be Called Cheating. Now It's Called Sex Addiction

I believe it should be called 'Compulsive Sexual Behaviour'.
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When a politician, celebrity or sportsperson is caught with their pants down, the media go into overdrive. Stories about "sex addicted" celebrities are extremely popular with the public -- sex and infidelity make great headlines and photo opportunities for the covers of magazines. These juicy scandals can damage and destroy careers, reputations and relationships.

It is easy for men to seduce women when they are famous and believe they are irresistible -- and when they are caught, they apologise, are "terribly sorry" and promise to go to a sex addiction rehab-clinic to be cured. This is often insisted on by their sponsors or spouses, usually to counter negative publicity. It used to be called "cheating"; now it is excused as having a sex addiction.

I don't remember Mick Jagger or Rod Stewart being called sex addicts when they bedded lots of women in their younger days. Back then it was almost expected of rock stars or celebrities, and it was seen as cool for girls to be "groupies" and have sex with as many of them as they could.

The label of "sex addict" has become convenient and an excuse for those not taking responsibility for their behaviour. Lawyers pleading court cases of those accused of rape and other sexual crimes often use the sex addiction claim to plead for leniency in lieu of punishment.

There was a push to make sex addiction a diagnosable disease in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but it has been rejected by the American Psychiatric Association -- several times -- because there is no scientific evidence that it exists. Many health professionals saw the result as a victory against a sex-negative diagnosis.

There was a push to make sex addiction a diagnosable disease in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but it has been rejected by the American Psychiatric Association -- several times -- because there is no scientific evidence that it exists.

Ever since sex addiction became a hot topic in the media, I have received calls from clients, who either believe they have a sex addiction or their partner believes they have. For example, one couple sought help after the male partner was "caught" looking at porn and the wife was devastated. Talking about sexual issues is very difficult for many people. After I explained that masturbation is a normal part of life (for both men and women) and not a reason to feel upset or guilty about, we progressed to discussing other parts of their sex life they needed help with.

There are two distinct camps when it comes to sex addiction: those who believe it is a real condition and those who don't. Clinical psychologist Dr David J. Ley, author of The Myth of Sex Addiction, says in his book: "Sex addiction is nothing more than a pop-psychology phenomenon, serving only to demonise sex, enforce moral views of sex and relationships and excuse irresponsible behaviours." Ley believes sex addiction is not a medical issue, but a moral and social one that reflects our "sex-negative environment".

He also says: "Sex addiction doesn't teach men to be responsible, to be thoughtful and conscious in their sexual choices. Instead, it teaches men that they are powerless to control their sexual desires without professional help. The male libido is a powerful force, research shows that all men have the ability to control their sexual desires, if they choose to exert it."

Another expert Dr Marty Klein, a certified sex therapist for 35 years and a well-known humanist, believes that sex addiction is used as a special weapon by the religious right in the US to combat perceived liberalism, to ignore science and to ignite fear. "It helps to legitimise anti-sex moralism and bigotry, and psychologists, judges, legislators and the media are buying it."

He says: "Everyone who is diagnosed as a sex addict -- by themselves, their loved ones, or a therapist – is someone who is unhappy with the consequences of their sexual choices, but who finds it too emotionally painful to make different choices. It's not about the sex, but the immature decision-making."

The proponents of "sex addiction" use concepts borrowed from Alcoholic Anonymous, applying the 12-step model to sexual behaviours. They claim sex addiction is real because it is "like" drug and alcohol addictions. The list of sexual behaviours that are supposed to be addictive are normal sexual behaviours. Sexuality research has demonstrated that masturbation, using pornography, cybersex, sometimes going to strip clubs or prostitutes, and even occasional infidelity, are common in men and women. There is a lack of research but some statistics mention about 85 percent of self-proclaimed sex addicts are male.

Sex is not like alcohol or drugs; sex has no tolerance or withdrawal effects. No one has ever died from being unable to have sex or overdosed from sex.

However, sex is not like alcohol or drugs; sex has no tolerance or withdrawal effects. No one has ever died from being unable to have sex or overdosed from sex.

But it is difficult to ignore the fact that there are people who feel their sexual behaviour has become unmanageable or out of control, which differs from someone with a healthy sex drive.

A person can become so preoccupied with sex that it becomes his or her only goal. It consumes their thoughts and nearly everything they do is geared towards gaining sexual satisfaction. They may spend too much time using pornography, fantasising or masturbating obsessively, sometimes even at work. They may have numerous affairs, spend half their wages on visiting sex workers or engage in risky sexual behaviour. Their actions hinder day-to-day functioning and their life becomes self-destructive.

Instead of calling this sex addiction, I believe a better label would be "compulsive sexual behaviour". The treatment for this condition is complex and challenging but manageable with the help of a trained sex therapist or counsellor who specialises in this area.

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