After years of reading and study, this is about the best explanation for addiction that I have come across. Dr. McCauley is easy to understand, interesting and sometimes funny.
Why are some people addicts, and some people are not? This is well worth your time. I hope you listen.
Cybersex Explosion
Did you know…………?
The interactive features and availability online can be addictive. Because of the widespread availability of sexually explicit materials online, Internet sex addiction is the most common form of online behavior among users.” (Young, Caught in the Net)
Frequently Sexual addictions are rooted in trauma, or abuse, but, curiosity and exposure to sexually explicit materials online is enough to fuel an addiction. Whether use is due to curiosity or unresolved issues, the result has unlimited possibilities online.
Cybersex Explosion
We are experiencing a Cybersex Explosion of tsunami proportions. Cybersex is considered the “crack cocaine” of sex addiction.
Some interesting facts:
20% of Internet users engage in online sex addiction behavior.
40 Million Americans visit porn sites one time a month (Internet filter review site, Maltz)
One third of all downloads per month and one fourth of all searches per day are from porn.
25% in the US are accessing porn at work (2008 Nielson online survey).
70% of men reported increased use of porn since the Internet (Mens’ Health, 2004).
70% of men keep their porn use a secret and 8 – 15% report compulsive sexual behavior (MSNBC, 2000).
The average age for the first contact with Internet porn is about 11 years of age.
The 12-17 year old age group is the largest consumer of Internet porn.
The average age for seeking help with Cybersex Issues is between 30 and 35 years of age.
The gender prevalence of men versus women with Cybersex issues is 60% – 40% respectively.
80% of married sex addicts thought marriage was the answer to their addiction.
The National Council on Sexual Addiction Compulsivity estimated that six to eight percent of Americans are sex addicts, which is 16 to 21.5 million people.
71% of those people with sexual-acting-out problems also use the Internet as a venue.
70% of the Internet porn traffic occurs during the 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. workday.
Cybersex is extremely addictive because of the virtual anonymity and availability.
Cybersex addiction escalates extremely rapidly.
Why should I choose a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)?
As a problem becomes more complex, it requires more specialized treatment. Often sex addiction has underpinnings of trauma and abuse. CSATs are trained to pick up on things that another counselor would perhaps not see.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, one of my sub-specialties is Sex Addiction Therapy. This means that I have spent additional time with extensive training to meet the strict criteria set forth by Patrick Carnes, PhD. and the International Institute of Trauma Addiction Professionals for Certification. I am familiar with and utilize his model. The training is intensive, requiring a lot of preparation, testing, supervision, travel, and monetary investment. It consists of four, full week training modules, spanning over a period of approximately one year. Sex Addiction often presents with other addictions, and as a Certified Multiple Addictions Therapist (CMAT), I would be knowledgeable of the process.