Has Online Dating and Other ‘Sexnology’ Fueled Rise of Sex Addiction?Sex AddictionBy PromisesNovember 19, 2015Having sex, or accessing other sources of sexual stimulation, is arguably easier now than it has ever been before. What with online dating, hookup apps, sexting, webcams and more, not to mention the instant availability of free pornography that can be obtained and viewed anonymously, sex is pretty much at our fingertips all the time.…
Struggling for Control in Codependent RelationshipsMental HealthBy PromisesNovember 13, 2015If you struggle with codependency, you probably also struggle with control. You might feel that in a perfect world, you would be able to dictate who said what and when. Your partner would always be available whenever you needed him or her. There would be no conflict because you would always get your way. It’s…
Is It Love or Addiction?Sex AddictionBy PromisesOctober 3, 2015Love is one of the most cherished of human experiences. Most people hope to deeply bond with another human being romantically, spiritually and mentally. Songs and movies continually remind you that somewhere out there is your true soulmate, the person who will be your most important companion and make you complete. So it’s no wonder…
Attachment Styles of Sex and Love AddictsSex AddictionBy PromisesSeptember 18, 2015People who grew up feeling securely attached to their caregivers tend to replicate that dynamic in their adult romantic relationships. They form secure bonds with partners. They tolerate the ebbs and flows inherent to long-term relationships. They trust that their significant other is not going to get the hell out of dodge after a difference…
Sexism, Cultural Conditioning Prevent Many Female Sex Addicts From Seeking HelpSex AddictionBy PromisesSeptember 11, 2015Let’s be honest—when you think of a typical person with sex addiction, you think of a man. Men have become the face of this somewhat contentious illness (contentious because some people insist on viewing sex addiction as nothing more than an excuse for bad behavior). However, many women live with sex addiction, and these women…
Sexual Boundaries and the Female Sex AddictSex AddictionBy PromisesAugust 16, 2015A woman who originally sought treatment for alcoholism learns she may also be a sex addict. Kendall sits at the bar of a downtown hotel in a city far from home. She sips a drink in honor of another far off city, and stares blankly past the bartender in his uncomfortable tuxedo. She has just…
How to Regain Your Partner’s Trust After CheatingMental HealthBy PromisesJuly 23, 2015You cheated on your partner, you regret it, you’re sorry and you want your partner to forgive you so you can move on, but he doesn’t trust you. Now what? How can you possibly get him to trust you again after such a big betrayal? Whether it was a meaningless, unemotional, one-night stand or an…
Love Addiction: The Folly of Assigning Magical Qualities to OthersSex AddictionBy PromisesMarch 29, 2015One thing that happens when you enter recovery—at least one thing that happened to me—is that you finally meet people who’ve been through what you’ve been through. The specific details and contours of their experiences might not be identical, but the internal experiences are often so startlingly similar that when you sit in a meeting,…
Narcissism in the Sexually Addicted PopulationSex AddictionBy PromisesMarch 24, 2015Narcissistic sex addicts like Mason74, who use grandiosity and a facade of self-confidence to present as though they are indestructible, are perhaps the most difficult to treat. Mason74 is charismatic, convicted and charming. He attends an online SSA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) meeting and when it’s his turn on the virtual floor, he starts out by…
Sex Addiction Equals Intimacy IssuesSex AddictionBy PromisesMarch 22, 2015A successful businesswoman constantly pursued other women for sex, but pushed them away when emotional bonding began to set in. Meika, a successful producer and TV writer, had always liked to joke that she was a world-renowned womanizer. Her predominantly heterosexual colleagues (though there were several openly gay folks in her industry) seemed to take…
