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Body image and medicalization: Socially relevant behavioral “addictions” beyond drug use
We know that addiction can go beyond drug use, but are we becoming addicted to making our bodies perfect? I put “addiction” in parentheses here because I think it’s important to distinguish substance-related addictions from behavioral ones. There’s no doubt that people’s behavior can become compulsive in the same way addicts become compulsive about using,…
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What does it mean to be love addicted? Sex addiction explained.
What do you think of when you hear the words “sex addict“? Do you imagine someone who has sex dozens of times a day? Someone who owns a lot of sex toys? Someone who spends all their time immersed in pornography? While all of these scenarios, and others, can identify someone with a sexual addiction,…
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Addiction-brain effects: Sex addiction, neurotransmitters, and being love addicted
***A disclaimer: Sex addiction is a relatively new concept in science. I haven’t been able to find much research on the subject, so much of what is being said here is my interpretation of the current literature on sexual responsivity in humans.*** I’ve already mentioned that scientists are beginning to consider behavioral addictions (like gambling…
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My Friend the sex addict part 2 – The ups and downs of sexaholics
As you may recall from an earlier post, a friend of mine, Brian, has been struggling to get some control over his sex addiction. I had referred him to a number of clinics that treat sex-addiction specifically, and to Sex Addicts Anonymous (sometimes known as sexaholics anonymous) as a starting point. I’m not at all…
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My Friend the sex addict – When looking for love goes too far
I have this friend, we’ll call him Brian, who has recently realized that he may be addicted to sex. Being an addiction specialist, he obviously came to me for advice. I told him that I would look into some of the treatment centers specializing in sexual addiction, and that in the meantime, there are support…