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Dr. Drew Pinsky of "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew." Photo Credit: vH1
Drew Pinsky, MD and some of the cast of "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" - "Penny Flame" Jennifer Ketcham, Phil Varone, and Amber Smith, will be taking the Oprah stage, today to discuss what sex addiction is all about, how it has effected their lives, and their experience on the show.
Typical behavior associated with sex addiction may include: Compulsive masturbation, multiple affairs, multiple and/or anonymous sex partners and/or one-night stands, consistent use of pornography, unsafe sex, computer and phone sex, prostitution and/or using prostitutes, exhibitionistic behaviors, serial dating, voyeurism, stalking, sexual harrassment, incest, molestation, and rape among others.
What is sexual addiction?:
Some experts believe it's more addictive than drugs, more destructive than alcohol and more misunderstood than other addictions. What's destroying thousands of lives and relationships across the country? Sex. Dr. Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist and host of the VH1 reality series Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew, says sex addiction is the most hidden, most shameful disease in America.
"It is one of the problems of our time," he says. "We've just been through a period of history where sexuality was viewed as a revolution and [people thought] it's okay to do whatever you're into, but the fact is, sexuality has become a drug in our culture." Sex addiction isn't as simple as promiscuity. Dr. Drew defines the disease as an intimacy disorder. People who are addicted to sex may be afraid or unfamiliar with intimacy, so they substitute sex for real human closeness.
"Sexuality is something that should make you feel good about yourself," Dr. Drew says. "[When you're a sex addict], you've lost control of your sexuality." Men and women who experience negative consequences from sex, yet continue the same behavior, are considered addicts. "The biggest issue is consequences," Dr. Drew says. "Work, school, finances, relationships, health, legal status…those areas of your life are being threatened."
- Drew Pinsky, MD -
Read more: Struggling with Sex Addiction
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