DESTRUCTIVE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS THAT UNDERMINE INTIMACY

YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE

Nationwide in recent years, thousands of brave men and women, who suffer from sex addiction, have entered treatment and attended Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) 12-step support groups. These men and women suffer from the compulsion to engage in dangerous, degrading, and/or impersonal sexual behavior.

Compulsive Habitual Sexual Behavior May Include:

• Reading pornographic/erotic novels/stories.
• Using pornographic/erotic magazines and pictorials.
• Voyeurism “Peeping Tom”
• Viewing pornographic/erotic videos.
• Calling 900 sex telephone numbers.
• Frequenting gentlemen’s clubs.
• Frequenting adult book stores.
• Cruising for anonymous sex/prostitution.
• Surfing the internet Pornographic/erotic web pages.
• Pornographic/erotic internet chat lines.
• Frequent and excessive masturbation.
• Sexually exposing self.
• Sexual harassment.
• Indecent telephone calls.
• Incest and molestation.
• Sexual abuse/rape.

Trauma: Many who suffer from sexual addictions have serious trauma in their backgrounds which, untreated, has undermined intimacy and closeness in their lives.

The following chronic or acute behavioral and emotional problems may result from trauma:

• Unexpected and unwanted recurrent distressful recollections or flashbacks of trauma.
• Sleep disturbance and/or having nightmares.
• Distressed when exposed to things or situations which cause you to remember the trauma spontaneously.
• Avoiding anything which represents the abuse.
• Unable to recall details of the abusive event.
• Irritability, anger outbursts, or easily startled.
• Concentration or attention difficulties.
• Emotionally withdrawn or numb.
• Negative and apprehensive view of future.
• Anxiously preoccupied with surveying environment for potential danger.
• With sexual abuse, disinterest in or preoccupation with sex.
• With physical abuse, aggressive behavior toward others.
• Impulsive and dangerous risk taking behaviors including substance abuse and suicide attempts.
• Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness.
• Difficulty trusting others and avoiding close relationships.

The cycle of addictive thinking & behavior:

1. Preoccupation with searching for sexually provocative materials or circumstances.
2. Following specific steps which lead to sexually acting out.
3. Loosing control and sexually acting out.
4. Despair of one’s powerlessness over sexual behavior.

MODERN SOCIETY’S VALUES?

Sexual behavior is promoted as only pleasurable. However, the empty promises of emotionally ensnaring habits have led to feelings of

• embarrassment
• humiliation
• worthlessness
• shame
• loneliness

*** The rush of reckless sexual interludes or use of erotica becomes more compelling than the consideration of it’s devastating consequences on one’s family, friends, employment, important obligations, and life circumstances.

THERE IS HOPE!

FACTS

1. In 2000, there were over 5 million daily hits (40% were by women) on over 100,000 sexually explicit internet web sites. The volume of these sites are growing rapidly along with increased use.
2. High risk sexual behavior leads to the same chemical reactions in the brain as alcohol.
3. Over 400,000 children are reported yearly to the authorities for sexual abuse.
4. About 700,000 rapes are reported annually.

Other Helpful Houston Area Resources:
Sex Addicts Anonymous
(713) 684—6174
Codependents of Sex Addicts
(713) 685—7503
or
(713) 521—3180

HIDING?

The secrete double life of sex addicts often includes other addictions such as

• drinking alcohol
• using drugs
• gambling
• overeating
• overworking

Professional psychological and counseling services from a Christian perspective

SEXUAL ADDICTION TREATMENT

It takes courage and strength to seek help for an addiction. Respect and support is offered through professional treatment which utilizes 12-step models to recovery. Therapy will focus on improving social skills, recognizing and breaking the cycle of sexual acting out behavior, and identifying and managing behavioral triggers in order to promote a manageable lifestyle as well as satisfying and fulfilling interpersonal relationships. Couple therapy is also provided to address codependency and other family concerns.

I appreciate your confidence in my professionalism to provide you with quality services.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Your right to privacy and competent treatment are priorities. Your safety is also of utmost importance. Suicidal thinking will be assessed and treated to maintain a client’s personal safety. A substance abuse assessment for treatment will also be conducted. Regarding minors, licensed therapists are required by law to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the proper authorities to promote children’s safety and welfare. The child abuse reporting telephone number is 1 (800) 252 - 5400.