Is Tiger Woods REALLY a sex addict? Check this list and decide.
Photo: AP/Andrew Brownbill
Is Tiger Woods a sex addict? If he is, that puts his infidelity in an entirely different light. Sex and drug addiction would mean that Tiger has valid medical reasons for his multiple mistresses and serial infidelity.
Dual Addictions - Sex and Prescription Drugs
According to recent reports, Tiger Woods may be the victim of dual addictions.
Sources say Tiger is scheduled to check into a rehab facility in Arizona, shortly after Christmas, for treatment of sex addiction and addiction to the prescription drugs Vicodin and Ambien. Both of these drugs are said to have the side effect of boosting the male sex drive.
A Convenient Excuse or a Medical Condition?
Exactly what is sex addiction?
It’s interesting to note that even in medical circles, sex addiction is a highly controversial topic – one on which medical professions don’t all agree,
Some don’t even acknowledge sex addiction as a “legitimate” addiction.
Others believe that compulsive sexual behavior ( sex addiction) is a very real disorder that affects an estimated 16 million Americans of both sexes.
In my 16+ years of researching infidelity, and interviewing literally thousands of cheaters and infidelity victims of both sexes, I’ve encountered many serial cheaters who use sex addiction as an excuse for their infidelity.
This does NOT appear to be the case with Tiger Woods. I think Tiger Woods may be a true sex addict , and if he is, then he’s dealing with a medical condition that requires professional help.
Only a qualified medical professional can make an accurate diagnosis. But laymen can hazard an educated guess.
What Do You Think? Check the List and Decide for Yourself
My personal opinion is based on a list of behaviors and characteristics common to sex addicts.
You may arrive at a different conclusion.
I encourage you to check the updated list of behaviors, which appears below, nd let me know what you think.
Updated List of Behaviors and Characteristics Common To Sex Addicts
The updated list of behaviors and characteristics common to sex addicts was compiled from several medical sources. Some of the items listed may overlap.
How many and which ones do you think apply to Tiger Woods?. My personal comments appear after some of the items on the list.
1. 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.”
2. The term sex addiction describes the behavior of someone who has an unusually strong sex drive or sexual obsession. NOTE: With more than a dozen alleged mistresses, Tiger was obviously obsessed with sex. He’s also reported be addicted to prescription drugs which boost the male sex drive.
3. Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction. NOTE: Several sources reported that Elin was furious with Tiger because he refused to get professional help. After stubbornly refusing, Tiger has now relented and will be checking into a rehab in Arizona after Christmas.
4. Is defined by an addict's compulsive use of sex to address non-sexual emotional needs.
5. Compulsive behavior that completely dominates the addict's life
6. 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.
7. Sex addicts may engage in exhibitionism, voyeurism, prostitution, compulsive masturbation, or cybersex. NOTE: Some reports say Tiger Woods patronized brothels or used call girls. At least two of Tiger’s alleged mistresses are known porn stars
8. 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?
9. 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.
10. Like other addicts, a sex addict becomes preoccupied with a behavior that is used to numb his or her feelings.
11. Lacks normal coping mechanisms and uses sex as a way to self-medicate every feeling.
12. Sex and thoughts of sex dominate a sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. People with a sex addiction often have a history of emotional and sexual abuse.
16. 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.
17. Lying or minimizing their involvement with sexual activities. NOTE: To keep multiple mistresses a secret for several years, many lies must have been told.
18. Using sexual activities to escape from their problems.
19. Wasting time and neglecting other responsibilities because of their sexual preoccupations
20. Unsuccessful efforts to stop or cut back on these behaviors
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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. He even ignored the warnings from his closest friends,
25. 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.
So, is Tiger Woods really a sex addict?
Now that you’ve read the list, what do you think.?
*** © 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:
Is Tiger Woods a Sex Addict? Judge for yourself
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
Is He Cheating? Is She Cheating? - 21 Ways You Can Tell (free tip sheet)
Free Infidelity Tip Sheets and Special Reports
Comments
Profile of the Sociopath
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Grandiose Sense of Self
Manipulative
Pathological Lying
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
Shallow Emotions
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Impulsive Nature
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Secretive
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
WOW........sure sounds like Tiger to me
Given the criteria one must agree, the diagnosis although preliminary is subseqentually accurate.
This is STUPID! There is NOTHING wrong with him.
He just was a NORMAL man who had access to LOTS of
Fine WOMEN. We wouldnt be talking about this if he wasnt
married. The only thing that would be different
with me is that I never would have gotten Married.
What guy isn't a sex addict.... What kind of retarded statement is that ????a spineles libreral asked that.....
Tiger is the dirtbag that betrayed his wife and children. Tiger
is a public dirtbag that needs jail time. I just spit on a Tag H watch and used golf digest as TP in a public restroom. Elin his faithful wife should get all the homes, cars, and yacht, and $1 BILLION cash for a divorce settlement from this public dirtbag.
Join the TAT (Tiger Alert Team) and protect your mother, sister, and daughter from this rogue golfer and bedroom lothario. Only $5.00 and you get a year's membership and bumper sticker. email mygrantcountyhome@isp.com
What a joke this article was. The sad part is that there are fools out there will buy it. Now when somebody makes a mistake suddenly it's not their fault; it's some fabricated illness or disease to excuse the behavior. Tiger screwed up and thought he could get away with it.
High achievers I've personally known had lovers on the side and in some cases, their wives knew about them but refrained from taking issue with them. It goes with the territory. I believe women know this but won't admit it.
He's in love with himself and has no regard for women. He's a narcissist of the worse kind. A young red-blooded man who plays golf. Please, old men play golf to relax. Tiger needed some serious physical activity and he used sex to get it. That's all. He really doesn't think there's anything wrong with his behaviour because he's in love with himself and thinks he should bed any woman whenever he feels the urge. Sex addict...what rubbish!
What a crock! If poor Tiger were a Sex Addict (I don't buy that designation for anyone, btw) who was 'consumed' with sex....where did he find the time to win major golf tournaments, manage multiple high profile commercial endorsements, design products, design golf courses, make public appearances, direct a philanthropic foundation....I mean, Come on! Tiger is a 33 year old male billionaire who realized he could hit anything he wanted...period.
BS
There is no question Tiger has a sexual disfunction, possibly arising from a racial identity problem, possibly associate with the white persona of his profession. It is most telling that most (all) of his sexual partners are white and perhaps this is indicative of a desire to be white. This is not to say that Tiger is shunned by white professionals, but he must certainly feel that if he were white he would really have it all, and despite all that he has done that is not going to happen. And not having a childhood could also be a factor.
What cracks me up Ruth is that obviously, a huge number of people read your column, so they must be looking for the topic, but then they criticize it! I'm sure you've noticed it too. Anyway, I agree with you on some levels, and with your permission, will link back to this article for one I'm working on. Best/T
By that definition, a large percentage of the male population are sex addicts. I'm with Nick, too, he's also a sociopath. ;D
Whether he is or not, you can't or won't control it, you don't get married, and you don't have kids. You don't expose your wife to possible STDs and AIDS. All people have problems, issues, the difference is your character and your morals, whether you choose to deal with compulsions, or refuse to indulge them, or behave like a scumbag. Free will.
Banging a bimbo the night daddy dies isn't necessarily a sign of sexual addiction. The girlfriend was there with him beforehand, possibly for days beforehand. Its called being an amoral opportunist -- cheating on the wife when you can, regardless what's going on, any excuse will do, as the wife's not around to catch you.
Tiger a victim? Hilarious. I don't think so. Adulterer scum bag yes. It's called sin.
I'm not buying it. He has issues with his father. His father was a mean falandering slob. Mr. Woods also has entitlement issues. He believes he's entitled to cheat. He said to a friend "this is one of the perks." Simply put he cheated because he could.
12/27/09
It is good to know that Tiger Woods is named player of the year by golf writers and then voted athlete of the year for 2009; he needs to tell everybody how his image made such a quick turn around. It would be nice because comparison is that my sister gave me a bottle of Victoria SECRET perfume-“Sexy Little things”; which is a message in SECRET to? that she wants them to make sure that any sex that I have in contrast to what Tiger Woods experience is little; banded; not allowed and if at all possible (everybody KNOWS Black represents death/nonexistent to most people); But Tiger Woods gets to have as many woman as he wants; my sister gets to have her boyfriend; and then she TELL (who?) in SECRET to fix it so the guys who want to date me don’t come around; what a sister? But as Rush Limbaugh said, on 600am radio; that “with the NEW health bill (gov)coming in; it will destroy the friendly neighbors/family/syndrome (Go to Victoria Secrrets website-Sexy littele things).
Being a sex addict does NOT mean that one is not responsible for their behavior, it does NOT mean that he/she is a victim. It is merely a diagnostic description that allows a possible framework for treatment and healing. It is out of control behavior, however it may coexist with an ability to function (at least for awhile) at work, in school or at the home. Eventually the house of cards collapse. Not unlike a highly functional alcoholic of which there are many in the world of entertainment, business and government. Most men are not of course sex addicts. Being a sex addict is not the same as being horny. It is dysfunctional and maladaptive. It is generally a (lousy) coping mechanism for other emotional problems. I dunno if Woods is a sex addict and I am a clinician who works specifically with sex addicts. But he appears to have some of the markers.
I am always struck by how many people deny that sex addiction exists, but you do not hear the same arguments with gambling addiction or food addiction. These are process addictions. Sex is a much more powerful high than food or gambling. Lets face it our society is uptight around SEX.
I say narcissist egotistical cheating lying scumbag. Go Elin!
Thank You for your nice work!
Tiger Woods behavior fits most of the criteria of a sex addict.Based on this he certainly needs professional help. I don't know how effective or how long is the treatment for a condition like this. A great deal of commitment is needed to overcome any addiction. How committed is Tiger Woods?
I find it amazing how many people are ignorant of sex addiction. When people ruin their lives by engaging in high-risk sex compulsively despite the negative consequences, then there is an addiction. It's not about high sex drive or how many partners you have. It's the inability to change your behavior despite painful consequences, like any other addiction. Very similarly, many people drink socially, even daily, but that doesn't make them alcoholics. Does that mean alcoholics don't exist because so many people can drink normally? People prone to sex addiction experience a high much like when taking drugs that is beyond normal. An alcoholic certainly doesn't experience drinking the way that most normal people do.
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