Skip to main content

Sex Addiction: Real Diagnosis or Lame Excuse?

The issue of “Sex Addiction” is one that has become quite popular after the Tiger Woods saga. A topic that has been around for sometime now has become a forefront issue, and still has varying public opinions on the “addiction”.

In the past year, we have seen many public figures admit to being “Sex Addicts” in Tiger Woods and Steve Phillips, as well as shows dedicated to the topic such as Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew. Yet, despite the sudden boom in being a “sex addict”, there still lies many doubters over whether this is a serious addiction, or just another sham to explain our society's lack of responsibility and self-control. And for that reason, we’ll keep the title within quotes.

Today, ESPN.com featured a very interesting and powerful ten minute clip from their superb documentary series, Outside The Lines. The piece touches base on former basketball player and coach, Winston Bennett, and his struggles with “sex addiction”, and how it affected his life, and those that love him.

The aspect that really brings the situation out is Bennett’s ability to openly share his life. Most have used “sex addiction” as a reason to escape from infidelity and twist the situation into making themselves the victim.

While the notion of being addicted to whatever it may be, alcohol, drugs, or painkillers, are understandable, real, and scientifically supported by the body’s dependency for the addictive substance, “sex addiction” is described as being a compulsivity within the mind that triggers a person to act on their resting thoughts.

Maybe I am being a bit cynical, and slightly sarcastic, but if that were the case, couldn’t we slap “addict” after about anything a person does that they shouldn’t act upon?

“Jay-walking Addict”

or maybe thoughts that constantly consumes a person’s mind such as:

“Baseball Addict”

I often describe myself as a , “professional wrestling addict”, hey, maybe it is a real diagnosis. That’s my excuse, I just can’t help myself, I just need to see body slams, clotheslines and chair shots.

In all seriousness, whether being a “sex addict” is real or not, is yet to be determined. However, in a society where many of our mistakes, wrong doings, and transgressions are finding there way to being placed in the “It’s not your fault” pile, its no wonder the next generation is lacking responsibility and self control.

However with that said, Winston Bennett’s story is one - out of all the many that has been told - that has truly brought “sex addiction” to a real stature. One where a man lost everything, admitted it, has received help, and has created a support system to keep him accountable.

For the first time in hearing a story about someone being a “sex addict”, I didn’t roll my eyes or listen in cynicism.

And if this “addiction” is real and just that – an addiction – I shutter to think how many people out their in our “sex sells” society that are not in the public eye are suffering from this.

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.