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Is Tiger Woods a sex addict? Judge for yourself..
Photo: AP/file
Recent reports indicate that Tiger Woods may be battling dual addictions – sex addiction and addiction to two prescription drugs (Vicodin and Ambien) both of which have the side effect of boosting the male sex drive.
If these reports are true, then Tiger Woods may have valid medical reasons for his multiple mistresses and serial infidelity.
Characteristics of a Sex Addict - Sex Addiction Defined
In researching several medical sources to find out what behaviors characterize a true sex addict, I found the following information:
• Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include multiple affairs, multiple partners, and unsafe sex. NOTE: Tiger is alleged to had more than a dozen alleged mistresses, several of whom said he engaged in unprotected sex with them. One even claims to have had his “love child.”
• Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction. NOTE: Several sources reported that Elin was furious with Tiger because he was refusing to check into a rehab to get professional help.
• Is defined by an addict's compulsive use of sex to address non-sexual emotional needs.
• Compulsive behavior that completely dominates the addict's life
• Sex addicts turn to sex when they need comfort, like binge eaters turn to food. NOTE: One mistress claims Tiger had sex with her the same night he learned that his father died.
• An uncontrollable urge to have sex with many different partners. NOTE: I’ve lost track of the number of mistresses Tiger is alleged to have. The most recent reports put the number somewhere between 14 and 18?
• Withdrawing and becoming frustrated over their inability to stop engaging in addictive behaviors. NOTE: Since the scandal broke, Tiger has withdrawn from public view and has completely isolated himself.
• Like other addicts, a sex addict becomes preoccupied with a behavior that is used to numb his or her feelings.
• Lacks normal coping mechanisms and uses sex as a way to self-medicate every feeling.
• They are also known to be shameful, suicidal, and prone to other addictions too. NOTE: Tiger Woods is reported to be addicted to the prescription drugs Vicodin and Ambien, both of which are said to boost the male sex drive as one of the side effects. Some of Tiger’s close friends have been unable to contract him and fear that he may be suicidal.
• A sex addict, like all addicts, is someone who continues such behaviors despite decreased pleasure and the negative and serious consequences they bring. NOTE: Evidently Tiger has been engaging in these affairs for several years, before, as well as during his 5-year marriage to Elin Nordegren.
• People with a sex addiction often have a history of emotional and sexual abuse.
• An intense preoccupation with sexual urges, fantasies and behaviors. NOTE: Some of Tiger’s alleged mistresses said they acted out fantasies (spanking, threesomes, etc) with him.
• Lying or minimizing their involvement with sexual activities. NOTE: To keep multiple mistresses a secret for several years, many lies must have been told.
• Using sexual activities to escape from their problems.
• Wasting time and neglecting other responsibilities because of their sexual preoccupations
• Unsuccessful efforts to stop or cut back on these behaviors
• Most people who struggle with sex addiction are men, and their sex addiction becomes the most important need in their lives. NOTE: It must have been an important need since he went to such great lengths to initiate and maintain these affairs, and keep them a secret from everyone except his closest friends.
• Like an alcoholic unable to stop drinking, sexual addicts are unable to stop their self-destructive sexual behavior. NOTE: Tiger continued to engage in this behavior even after he married Elin.
• Sex addiction is almost always about a secret life. NOTE: Well it was certainly a well kept secret that Tiger had multiple mistresses over a period of several years. He did, indeed, lead a double life.
• A sex addict will continue to engage in certain sexual behaviors despite facing potential health risks, financial problems, shattered relationships or even arrest. NOTE: Tiger persisted in engaging in this behavior despite the knowledge that if his secret sex live were discovered, it would jeopardize his sponsorships and his marriage, and ruin his squeaky-clean reputation.
• Denying the risk and seriousness of sexually addictive behavior, despite their obvious consequences. NOTE: Tiger ignored the fact that he was putting himself and his wife at risk for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases by engaging in sex with women who were porn stars, and women who led active sex lives with other men.
Here’s What I Think
In my 16+ years of researching infidelity and interviewing literally thousands of cheaters and infidelity victims of both sexes, It’s been my experience that many serial cheaters use sex addiction as an excuse for their infidelity – after they get caught.
This does NOT appear to be the case with Tiger Woods.
All the evidence points to the fact that Tiger may really be a true sex addict. And if so, it’s is a medical condition that requires professional help.
In view of this, it would make sense for his wife, Elin Nordegren to hold off on filing for a divorce.
If there are medical reasons for Tiger’s multiple mistresses and serial infidelity, that puts things in an entirely different light.
What do you think? Please share your comments in the comment box at the end of this article.
Will Elin Nordegren Stand by Her Man?
One source said that treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event—such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis—to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.
According to reports, Tiger Woods has made arrangements to check into a rehab facility near Phoenix, Arizona early next year for the treatment of sex addiction and addiction to prescription drugs. That’s less than 2 weeks from now.
Most doctors and other medical professionals say that sex addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to treat.
Will Elin Nordegren hang in there with her husband while he gets medical treatment for his sex addiction problem?
Is she up to the challenge?
Is Tiger’s wife in her marriage for the long haul ? – for better or worse?
Or will she “take the money and run?
We’ll just have to wait and see.
*** © copyright 2009 Ruth Houston. All rights reserved.
Ruth Houston is a New York-based infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on infidelity issues in the news. She is the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com and publishes the Infidelity News and Views blog.
For more articles about the Tiger Woods Sex scandal from an infidelity expert’s point of view, see
Tiger Woods Infidelity Due to Sex Addiction Plus Drugs that Boosted His Sex Drive
New Details about Tiger Woods Secret Love Life Reveal He May Be Addicted to Sex
6 Things Tiger Woods Did that Are Common to Most Cheating Men
14 Reasons Why Tiger Woods and Other Rich and Famous Men Cheat
How Good Men End Up Cheating on Their Mates
Free Tip Sheet Helps Women Like Elin Nordegren Decide Whether or Not to Stay with a Cheating Mate
Was Tiger Woods’ Car Accident Caused by Infidelity?
An Infidelity Expert’s Advice to Tiger Woods Wife
What Tiger Woods’ Wife Should Do if the Infidelity Rumors Are True
More Infidelity Advice from an Expert, for Tiger Wood’s Wife Now That the Rumors are True
Comments
Of course he is a sex-addict, that's evident from his destructive behavior despite the consequences. I disagree though that many cheaters are not addicts too. People who cheat, even on the internet, are sex addicts. It is not an excuse, but a disease and a medical condition that needs treatment. An addiction is defined as a having a destructive compulsive behavior despite the unmanageability of one's life and devasting consequences, whether financial, familial, professional or social, and spiritual.
Needs help and he will get it. He is smart and as long as he is willing to admit he has a problem he will find the help he needs. Following a month or more in a rehab he will spend several years proving to himself and others that he has dealt with the disease and slowly will earn their trust again. He will definitely be stronger and better for having the experience. Without this blowup life would have just gotten worse. This is the best thing that could have happened to him. He will look back on this as a blessing. The things that bring us the most pain turn out to be our greatest gifts/opportunities for growth. Tiger is more than capable of this and more.
TigerCheetah com on Ebay bidding 100,000.00
The Examiner...now THERE'S a credible source. Next up: Headless Woman Found in Topless Bar! News at eleven.
Hi Ruth,
I appreciate the time you took to write this. We don't know all the facts, but you do a thorough job of putting this together, and make a compelling case. Larry may be right too - this could be a blessing (I wrote about that earlier, the blessing of boredom) if he uses this time to get to the bottom of these choices. Best/T
Puleeze. Who ISN'T a "sex addict!!!" The issue at hand is personal responsibility. We all have weaknesses. His biggest weakness, BTW, is that he's a serial phony. Maybe he's a phony addict!!!
Sex additction like other addictions is a lust of the flesh and can be overcome thru various types of therapy. If Tiger is smart and if he humbles himself he will succeed at overcoming his problem. If he remains stubborn and prideful as if his position in life is an entitlement then he will continue his self-destructive mode of behavior. It really is not complicated. Money and prestige ad fuel to the fire of licentious and sinful behavior.
Who cares if he's a sex addict or not? Elin should dump Tiger, and let him join Amway, along with his "girlfriends", as Amway also screws anything that moves. Amway is a scam, and here's why: Amway pays out as little money as they can get away with, so they support the higher level IBOs ripping off their downline via the tool scam. As a result, about 99% of IBOs operate at a net loss, while the top 1% make several TIMES more from their Amway tool scam than from the Amway products. Read about it on my blog, I suggest you start here: Google "Amway the rest of the story" and forward the information to everyone you know, so they don't get scammed.
Puleeze. Who ISN'T a "sex addict!!!" The issue at hand is personal responsibility. We all have weaknesses. His biggest weakness, BTW, is that he's a serial phony. Maybe he's a phony addict!!!
i also engage in multiple sex partners but i'm smart enough to say i enjoy every minute of it!
AMERICANS ARE SOooooo "PRUDISH" & STUPID!
Yeah, and wherever you're from, it's cool to have a wife, 2 kids, 18 mistresses and be marketing yourself as a devoted family man. Nice.
Poor Tiger can't help himself, and the real question is whether Elin will stick it out or "take the money and run"? Talk about blaming the victim!!
Poor Tiger can't help himself, and the real question is whether Elin will stick it out or "take the money and run"? Talk about blaming the victim!!
Let Tiger join Amway? Now that's an interesting comment, to be sure.
The last two sentences in your column are biased. Would it be unfair for a spouse of either gender to leave an abusive and alcoholic mate? No it wouldn't and it wouldn't be unreasonable for Elin to leave Tiger as well. Just because he can't muster the will in his private life that he seems to have in competition doesn't mean that she and the children should continue in an abusive relationship even if he is motivated by addiction.
Sick my rear end. He chose to commit one of humankinds' most common sins; adultery. His other sin was the size of his ego, thinking he was above criticism. Many others have been down this road with the same results. Just take a look at a very famous deceased comedian and an equally notorious singer (crooner in his day). Wake up America!!!!
Horny men like to screw as many attractive women as they can get away with. Rich and powerful men like Woods and Bill Clinton have the means and opportunity. Sometimes they get caught. That's not addiction, that's biology. The problem is not a medical psychobabble cop-out "addiction". One doesn't need therapy to keep one's pants on and live truthfully. The problem is about morality and character. More important, let's talk about stupid media spectacle peddling like the "Tiger Woods Scandal" and the peeping tom idiots addicted to paying attention to such tabloid trash.
I'm a sex addict in recovery myself. The article is very accurate in describing the illness. The illness however
in no way should be used as an excuse for the behavior. If
Tiger does get into recovery he will have to deal with the
consequenses of his actions even if he had very little or no
choice over them as an addict.
IMO sex addiction is very much like drug addition. There are
natural drugs which are released before and during sex which
give a feeling of euphoria and tend to wipe out any pain from whats going on in daily life.
I don't know whether Tiger is a sex addict or not but one of his mistresses related that tiger would complain about being "overwhelmed" much of the time. This tells me that he was looking for escape.
My guess is that many of tiger's liasons were for sex but he was also looking for understanding and care. Something he was probably not capable of getting in his "legitamate " relationships.
Larry C: You're right on. Good luck Tiger.
All men are sex addicts to some extent; the drugs that cause this condition are called 'hormones.' But even if his urges exceed that of an ordinary man, that doesn't excuse his behavior. Part of it appears to be self-induced (drugs). And he never sought help and instead hid the truth from his wife. Dishonesty is a form of infidelity, too. Or does so-called "sex addiction" cause brain damage, too?
I hope he "recovers" and gets his life back together. If Elin has any self-respect, she'll leave him, though. Infidelity once is a serious blow to marital trust. Tiger's behavior shows no contrition and leaves no room for sympathy.
I have words of encouragement for Mr & Mrs. Tiger Woods as ex-wife of a sexual compulsive cheater, and an active member of 12-step groups for my own issues as the spouse (CoSA), and my addictions to relationships (CODA and SLAA).
The Meadows in Arizona where Dr. Patrick J. Carnes is affiliated is considered a most well-respected rehabilitation facility. Dr. Carnes' literature has helped me to understand my issues.
As I learn better I do better in all areas.
Those who jeopardize their lives/their spouse's/kids, careers/income by repetitive extreme behaviors generally qualify for 12-step groups. These issues are made worse by Ambien, Vicadin and alcohol. However, these are self-defining diseases.
To Mrs. Tiger Woods-You love your husband & he's still the same man he was before the infidelities came out. Divorce doesn't change these issues. Comprehensive, on-going family therapy and rehabilitation like, The Meadows, and 12-step groups work wonders for those who work it.
Which medical problems could be contributing to Tiger's apparent sex addiction?
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