Comments on: Tiger Woods, Sex Addiction, and OCD – Part 2

By: Skeptic

Skeptic — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:17:57 +0000

You’re forgetting one major componenent in your last paragraphy summary: Expanding the scope of “mental illness” to include “sex addiction” also can be seen as a SOCIAL phenomenon where we, as a society, demonize frequent sex in a “sex negative” way that perhaps we would not have done in the more “sex positive” 60s and 70s. And, it’s also a COMMERCIAL phenomenon, where there is much MONEY to be made by therapists and “addiction treatment centers” if we pathologize frequent sex, where often the CLINICIANS are pointing at the frequent-sex client and saying “BAD, BAD!” as opposed to the client seeking help himself. Therapists who play into the current sex-negative society (see “America’s War on Sex” by Marty Klein, Ph.D) and who play into individuals’ sexual guilt, can make a FORTUNE in these rather tough times for therapists who face insurance reimbursement difficulties, or new therapists nearly desperate to build a practice. In short, “sex addiction” is a “popular” trend, almost a “fad”, and a real money-maker, and we shouldn’t forget that commercial aspect of it as well, that has nothing to do with its clinical diagnosis.

By: alice

alice — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:33:17 +0000

I totally concur that if sex addiction is a disorder it is more a behavioral addiction. I understand that the definition of an addiction is a “brain high”, withdrawal and compulsive behavior but that can possibly be stated about regular people who enjoy frequent sex. I could also make a case for anxiety being redirected into sexual behavior and the problem having nothing to do with addiction or sex.

By: OCD Center of Los Angeles

OCD Center of Los Angeles — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:23:12 +0000

Kevin,

Thank you for your comments.

I think you may have misunderstood my position on process addictions (which I refer to as “behavioral addictions”). I totally agree that behaviors can become addictive. As I noted in the article:

“A reasonable argument could be made that sex addiction is more of a behavioral addiction than a disorder of sexual functioning, and as such, belongs in this category.”

My goal with the article was to address the issue of sex addiction with more nuance than the media, which clearly prefer to focus on the more sensationalistic aspects of the the story (Sex!!! Tiger Woods!!!). My description of the differences between substance addictions and behavioral addictions was meant to bring attention to differences that I think are noteworthy – namely physical dependence and physical withdrawal. We may disagree about this part of the issue, but I completely agree with you that excessive sex, gambling and shopping can be addictive, and would add food, shoplifting, and internet gaming to that list.

Thanks again for contributing your thoughts.

By: Kevin Bergen, MFT

Kevin Bergen, MFT — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:01:23 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with your thesis that sex addiction is not OCD. I’m disappointed, however, that you cast such doubt on whether process addictions are addictions at all. I work primarily with sex addicts, and it could not be clearer to me that behaviors (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) can produce the same kind of brain “high” and withdrawal and tolerance that substances chemically induce. The disease model of addiction (both chemical and process addictions) was only a theory for years, but is now scientifically accepted (see the work of researchers like Dr. Kevin McCauley [Center for Addiction Study] or Dr. Harry Hartounian [Betty Ford Center]).
Thanks for addressing this OCD/Sex Addiction issue!