Posts Tagged ‘sex addiction treatment’

Sex Rehab all the Rage for Famous Philanderers

Monday, April 5th, 2010

As the number of alleged mistresses multiplies, Jesse James seeks help in sex rehab. Many feel this reaction seems to be the answer to all celebrity ills these days—from sex, to drugs to even simple prejudice, any faux pas may be mended with rehab, religion and a quick acting rep.

Jesse James’ rehab stay doesn’t fare with any more understanding than other celebrity treatment.  A quick review of entertainment news shows, blogs and comments indicate, people generally don’t feel James’ attempt is genuine, and links to other celeb sex scandals, namely Tiger Woods’, further complicates his public redemption.

Apparent character flaws and celebrity status aside, sex addiction is a real disorder. Though it seems like an excuse to many, this misunderstood behavioral health disorder is really no different in seriousness or detriment than addiction to drugs or alcohol and has many similarities to OCD that are hard to ignore.

When it comes down to it, notoriety breeds false security and suspended accountability. The celebrity penchant for superman syndrome aggravates those already prone to excess, causing them to indulge more.

What seems to really be concerning regarding the recent celeb upsurge of sex rehab stays is the failure of the men (and women) to use their experiences to educate a cynical and distrustful public. If most people can’t understand the disorder in celebrities, how can they understand it in a loved one? The publicity in these instances hurt not only the celebrities involved, but also have a negative effect on people out of the spotlight.

Combine the already poor press for real people battling what is actually a disease with the incredible misrepresentation of the recovery process on reality TV’s multiple programs, the people really suffering from these celeb sex scandals aren’t the celebrities themselves, but rather the general public struggling to find and receive the help they desperately need while simultaneously warding off these negative and frivolous stigmas in order to regain their lives.

Tags: celebrity addiction, sex addiction, sex addiction treatment, sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity
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Addiction Shows On The Rise, But To What Aim?

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

The last couple years have brought a surge of TV programs dealing with addiction, intervention and recovery for both celebrities and the everyday person. VH1, A&E and now TLC have all taken on the topic, but to what aim?

Do shows like this affect people into action, seeking help for their own addiction or those of a loved one? Or does it simply serve as drama-heavy entertainment portraying people apparently worse off than the viewer?

While any awareness should be good awareness, it appears these shows don’t do much in the way of prompting professional action, but instead create a sense of professionalism within the families who care. A sort of pop-psychology for addiction intervention and treatment. This can lead to some pretty dangerous and misguided side-effects.

What seems to be missing upon many of these shows is the effects of addiction on those around the person with the disease. With the exception of the new TLC show, it’s very rare to see families involved beyond the intervention phase, and when this occurs, families simply participate in attempting to urge the loved one to receive help, rather than making the family (and viewer) aware of the family’s responsibilities in this matter and the effects they have on the progress of their loved-one.

Watching the previews for TLC’s new “Addicted” program, I did hear a sound bite of the interventionist saying “I believe firmly that addiction is a family disorder,” and we couldn’t agree more, but what I hope to see from this new take on the old game is families involved in the progress of recovery for all affected by the disease, and an emphasis on the need for professional intervention rather than make-shift family confrontations.

Another disturbing problem with these shows is the lack of conversation about the need for aftercare. It appears  that for most shows treatment is the be-all, end-all for addiction. If one relapses he or she must return to treatment and try again. Money down the drain time and again, and no true hope in sight. VH1 has expanded this closed scope to include “Sober House,” which puts cast members from previous seasons of “Sex Rehab” and “Celebrity Rehab” into a sober living environment. But even here, where is the aftercare discussion. Where is the RAP continuing care?

Relapse seems imminent for most cast members, and on the show’s premier the house manager asks the oft-thought question “What makes one person stay sober and another relapse?”

The answer is actually pretty simple, but lost upon both the asker and apparently the show producers.

Tags: addiction intervention, addiction treatment, celebrity drug addiction, dr. drew sex addiction, intervention, recovery support, sex addiction treatment
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Sex Addiction- A misunderstood compulsive behavior

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Last week, Dr. Drew Pinsky, an addiction specialist, medical doctor, and TV personality, appeared on Oprah to discuss sexual addiction and compulsivity. Sex addiction has long been known to disrupt families and relationships, and now is being brought more into light as it makes its way through different media channels. Dr. Pinsky came on to talk about what sex addiction is, and how to treat it.

He talks quite a bit about the effects sex addiction has on others. Basically, like any addiction or compulsive behavior, sex addiction can cause many varying consequences, from damaging relationships, to sexually transmitted diseases, legal issues, etc. As with other addictions, these compulsive behaviors create a pattern of unhealthy events that eventually creep into every area of an addicts’ life.

Dr. Patrick Carnes, one of the leading experts in sexual addiction and compulsivity and former clinical director at The Meadows, puts sex addiction in this perspective: “Generally, addicts do not perceive themselves as worthwhile persons. Nor do they believe that other people would care for them or meet their needs if everything was known about them, including the addiction. Finally, they believe that sex is their most important need. Sex is what makes isolation bearable. If you do not trust people, one thing that is true about sex (and alcohol, food, gambling, and risk) is that it always does what it promises, for the moment.”

Dr. Drew says 80 to 90 percent of the patients he has treated for sex addiction suffered trauma as children. “If you have a history of trauma, particularly sexual trauma, in childhood, you want to look very carefully at this behavior,” he said. A history of trauma, in early childhood, can create patterns of self-destruction, codependency, and compulsive behaviors. Carol Cannon, the co-founder of The Bridge To Recovery, says this about codependency:  “Codependence is the pain in adulthood that comes from being wounded in childhood, which leads to a high probability of relationship problems and addictive disorders in later life.” Trauma early on in one’s life can lead to a whole host of problems and, without help, can create an unmanageable life.

Here’s a clip from the show.

If you or a loved one are struggling with sex addiction or another compulsive behavior, please contact us directly at 877-320-0247 or visit us on the web at www.a-i-r.com.

Tags: addiction, addiction genes, addiction intervention, AiR Assistance in recovery, assistance in recovery, behavioral health, dr. drew, dr. drew sex addiction, oprah, sex addiction, sex addiction treatment, sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity
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