(By Dr. Doug Weiss) How can you know if something, anything is an addiction, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, work, porn or sexual addiction? Here are several characteristics of an addiction and you can apply each to sexual addiction. Some of these ideas I’m sharing will be coming from my book. Final Freedom Characteristics of Addiction
- Effort: This man has made attempts to stop his fantasy, pornography, self-behaviors or acting out with others. He may have been motivated internally to stop or externally by being caught. Regardless, these efforts end up in failure repeatedly.
- Read My Lips: Remember when President George H.W. Bush made that promise to not raise taxes and then later he did exactly what he said he wouldn’t do? The addict has made promises to himself, his wife, girlfriend, pastor, friend, or accountability partner to stop. He, however, keeps breaking this promise to himself or others.
- Consequences: As the addiction grows, consequences occur. These consequences may be a bad marriage, getting caught, getting arrested, being separated, divorced, losing a job, having a ruined reputation, getting STDs, being blackmailed or it could be as simple as the constant guilt, shame, anxiety or depression a man experiences by living a double life. CONTINUE
