Season 03: EP06 - Porn Addiction or Erotic Conflict?

Sacred Psychology with Tamara Powell, LMHC

Can someone be addicted to sex? Exploring the hot button and much debated issue of problematic sexual behavior and why we need a different approach, especially in the U.S.!

In this podversation:

• Do labels like "sex addiction" matter?
• Can someone be addicted to sex?
• AASECT's position on sex addiction
• If sex addictions exist, they are likely over-diagnosed.
• The power in asking what is this person's relationship to the behavior rather than looking at the behavior alone
• Why shame is such a big factor in compulsive sexual behavior
• How so many have a fundamental lack of understanding of healthy sexuality
• You can't pain these pictures with a broad brush; it has to be individualized.
• Why porn often feels easier than having sex/ being intimate with a partner
• Why so many individuals may actually want their partners to be labeled as an "addict"
• Some of the pros and cons of an addiction model as well as 12 step programs for it
• Why Dr. Weeks advocates for more of a harm reduction model
• What is erotic conflict?

An erotic conflict is experienced by a person who is engaging in (or even fantasizing about) a sexual behavior that conflicts with his or her moral values or religious values. For example, a person who is attracted to sex with the same sex might experience an erotic conflict because their religious beliefs tell them that same sex attraction is wrong. Their behavior conflicts with their religious beliefs. A person who is using escorts might be experiencing an erotic conflict because breaking the law is against their personal moral values. A man who is watching pornography occasionally, a few times a month, might feel as though he has a sexual addiction or pornography addiction because his religious beliefs tell him that lust and pornography are bad. Therefore, he equates any use of pornography with addiction.

- Dr. Jennifer Weeks

• Religious believers may actually have higher incidences of problematic sexual behavior
• The complexity trauma adds to individuals with erotic conflict or problematic sexual behavior
• Why Dr. Weeks and I both have empathy for sex offenders
• Could sexual imprinting play a role in our sexual scripts, erotic conflicts, and problematic sexual behavior?
• Educate Empower Kids
• How pornography may contribute to erectile dysfunction
• Why the U.S.'s poor sexual education programs are creating long lasting sexual issues
• Starving ourselves into problematic sexual behaviors (due to lack of intimacy)
• "Sex 'addiction' is NOT about sex; it's an intimacy disorder"

Meet Dr. Jennifer Weeks

Dr. Jennifer Weeks is the founder and director of Sexual Addiction Treatment Services, an out-patient treatment program for out of control sexual behavior.

She has over twelve years experience treating all aspects of addiction, trauma and addiction, sexual addiction, and sex offenders. Jennifer is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist- Supervisor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor and has a Ph.D. in Psychology.

Dr. Weeks is the author of the blog, Dr. Jen’s Recovery Readings as well as the prevention book, The New Age of Sex Education: How to Talk to Your Teen about Cybersex and Pornography in the Digital Age.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Weeks provides continuing education training for therapists and lectures at addiction conferences throughout the US.

Connect with her further at: www.sexualaddictiontreatmentservices.com