Sexual Addiction

Gender and Sexuality
Psychology > Behaviorism

Sexual Addiction

This paper takes a look at a common behavioral addiction, sexual addiction. It gives a social work perspective and gives a background on the subject, along with suggestions for treatment.

944 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2004 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper begins with a background on viewing sexual addiction as a behavioral addiction comparable to gambling or shopping. It talks about the American Medical Association's view of the problem, along with clinicians view. It then concludes with treatment options and what has worked in past research.

From the Paper:

"There are many addictions to substances but not to be forgotten are addictions to certain behaviors. These include such behaviors as gambling, shopping, and having sex. As Van Wormer and Davis state, "What these behavioral or pleasure-related addictions have in common with the substance dependencies is that they are compulsive and obsessive and involve euphoria that is not induced artificially by a drug" (2003, pg 213). It is important for social workers to understand behavioral addictions because they can be just as destructive to a client's life as substance addictions."