What is sex addiction? Does it even exist?

I've been hearing lately about these celebrities like Tiger Woods and David Duchovny going into sex addiction rehab. Since sex is something we all have a strong desire for (which that in itself can be classified as a type of addiction), when is it officially considered an "addiction"? I did read some things on Wikipedia about it:

Sexual addiction refers to a phenomenon in which individuals report being unable to manage their sexual behavior. It has also been called "sexual dependency," and "sexual compulsivity." The existence of the condition is not universally accepted by sexologists and its etiology, nature, and validity have been debated.

Proponents of the concept have offered varying descriptions, each according to their favored model of the putative phenomenon. Proponents of an addiction model of the phenomenon refer to it as "sexual addiction" and offer definitions based on substance addictions; proponents of lack-of-control models refer to it as "sexual compulsivity" and offer definitions based on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); etc. Skeptics believe that it is a myth that the phenomenon exists as a disease or disorder at all and is instead a by-product of cultural and other influences.

Sexologists have not reached any consensus regarding whether sexual addiction exists or, if it does, how to describe the phenomenon. Some experts believe that sexual addiction is literally an addiction, directly analogous to alcohol and drug addictions. Other experts believe that sexual addiction is actually a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder and refer to it as sexual compulsivity. Still other experts believe that sex addiction is itself a myth, a by-product of cultural and other influences.

So, does sex addiction really exist? Is it something that deserves our attention? And even if it does exist, is it something that people should get help for? I suppose when someone has an addiction, it's viewed as a bad thing. But even if someone is "addicted" to sex, is that hurting anyone (as long as they're not criminals of course)?

Ask Tiger Woods

It's just society's way of bringing down the desires all men are born with.

I'd have sex with at least 10 or 15 attractive girls that I walk by a day if I knew they'd say yes.

well are there people that get obsessed with it, and become rapist, and don't realise what they are doing is wrong

i don't know about tiger woods though

It's just society's way of bringing down the desires all men are born with.

I'd have sex with at least 10 or 15 attractive girls that I walk by a day if I knew they'd say yes.

RJay123

Maybe, maybe not.

Either way I doubt Tiger Woods has it.

It's just a way to excuse lack of self control.

It's just a way to excuse lack of self control.

aransom

well are there people that get obsessed with it, and become rapist, and don't realise what they are doing is wrong

i don't know about tiger woods though

rikkustrife

Tiger Woods is supposedly a sex addict for having so many affairs. But you hear of people having affairs all the time, and they're not automatically viewed as sex addicts. Granted, Tiger may of had a good number of affairs, but I think that just shows he has no control of himself in that way.

[QUOTE="rikkustrife"]

well are there people that get obsessed with it, and become rapist, and don't realise what they are doing is wrong

i don't know about tiger woods though

dog64

Tiger Woods is supposedly a sex addict for having so many affairs. But you hear of people having affairs all the time, and they're not automatically viewed as sex addicts. Granted, Tiger may of had a good number of affairs, but I think that just shows he has no control of himself in that way.

Tiger Woods is supposedly a sex addict for having so many affairs. But you hear of people having affairs all the time, and they're not automatically viewed as sex addicts. Granted, Tiger may of had a good number of affairs, but I think that just shows he has no control of himself in that way.

dog64

[QUOTE="rikkustrife"]

well are there people that get obsessed with it, and become rapist, and don't realise what they are doing is wrong

i don't know about tiger woods though

dog64

Tiger Woods is supposedly a sex addict for having so many affairs. But you hear of people having affairs all the time, and they're not automatically viewed as sex addicts. Granted, Tiger may of had a good number of affairs, but I think that just shows he has no control of himself in that way.

Yea, Tiger Woods might really have a problem. It seems as if he does, but no one knows but him. :?

[QUOTE="dog64"]

Tiger Woods is supposedly a sex addict for having so many affairs. But you hear of people having affairs all the time, and they're not automatically viewed as sex addicts. Granted, Tiger may of had a good number of affairs, but I think that just shows he has no control of himself in that way.

aransom

That's true. If more people were as famous and rich as Tiger, you would probably hear of more sex addicts :P

Sexologist? That sounds like an awesome job :D. Probably isn't...

None of you can't say that you wouldn't at least consider being with those women Tiger was with if you had the opportunity. Even if you were attached to a girlfriend or married, you'd think long and hard about it. (ummm no pun intended)

None of you can't say that you wouldn't at least consider being with those women Tiger was with if you had the opportunity. Even if you were attached to a girlfriend or married, you'd think long and hard about it. (ummm no pun intended)

RJay123

It's a phrase used to shirk responsibility. You don't have to go to a clinic to decide "y'know, maybe I'll try keeping my pants on for awhile".

It's spending 6 hours a day pleasuring yourself....

Theres actually a documentary about a public mental health hospital in New York and one of the patients they admit is some guy who was pleasuring himself 6 hours a day. THAT right there is a definite addiction.

I would say that it's an addiction anytime said thing starts interfering with the way you live your life as in it takes time away from things it shouldn't and in general if you start feeling a serious urge to experience said thing after not having it for a little bit it is probably an addiction.

[QUOTE="RJay123"]

It's just society's way of bringing down the desires all men are born with.

I'd have sex with at least 10 or 15 attractive girls that I walk by a day if I knew they'd say yes.

grape_of_wrath

I think most people who claim to have it are either ignorant of what an addiction really is or are trying to get themselves out of trouble. Even if you are addicted to something you aren't exactly a victim.

Modern life has certainly brought many disorders (psychologically related)...

Modern life has certainly brought many disorders (psychologically related)...

onehowlingwolf

[QUOTE="onehowlingwolf"]

Modern life has certainly brought many disorders (psychologically related)...

priestinacloset

Yes, sex addiction does exsist. Do these people have it? Probably not. Like most addiciton it becomes problematic to your normal everyday life. Much like a cocaine addict you need it, or a wow addict you have to play it constantly. They will constantly be desiring sex and find a way to get even if impedes all rational. They will do what they have to acquire it. I am keeping this brief as i odn't really want to get into that much.

[QUOTE="onehowlingwolf"]

Modern life has certainly brought many disorders (psychologically related)...

priestinacloset

That's a pretty narrow-minded view... I'd say there weren't so much stress as nowadays...

He was able to get a lot of women in his bed, so he did. Lack of morals possibly, but in no goddamn way can you call him an addict. It's a sorry excuse, if anything.Vfanek

[QUOTE="priestinacloset"][QUOTE="onehowlingwolf"]

Modern life has certainly brought many disorders (psychologically related)...

onehowlingwolf

That's a pretty narrow-minded view... I'd say there weren't so much stress as nowadays...

[QUOTE="onehowlingwolf"]

[QUOTE="priestinacloset"] Of course, in the 1800s there werent even hot people so no one could get addicted to sexpriestinacloset

That's a pretty narrow-minded view... I'd say there weren't so much stress as nowadays...

And I think it's pretty much psychologically related.

In the 1800s there were different stereotypes, different habits. Also, I believe people can be 'hot' without being fake... mainly b/c this modern vulgarity is far from being attractive (at least for me).

Nah they don't have it. Its just that his wife probably stopped having sex with him and men have needs too.MgamerBD

Sex addiction is a disease that 98% of all males have.Nerd_Man

It's an pandemic! Quick, make a vaccine!

[QUOTE="MgamerBD"]Nah they don't have it. Its just that his wife probably stopped having sex with him and men have needs too.aransom

Sex addiction is a disease that 98% of all males have.Nerd_Man

most addiction is just a lack of freakin willpower and a crutch to cry about....Omni-Slash

Whats the point of having a hot wife if you ain't getting none? Thats like having a delicious of pizza in front of you but you can't eat it. Its worthless.MgamerBD

[QUOTE="Omni-Slash"]most addiction is just a lack of freakin willpower and a crutch to cry about....EMOEVOLUTION

[QUOTE="EMOEVOLUTION"][QUOTE="Omni-Slash"]most addiction is just a lack of freakin willpower and a crutch to cry about....Omni-Slash

Sex addiction, like any other addiction, is devastating.