When do you know if sex is a problem?

There are some heated debates over whether sex addiction exists or whether it's a strategy to turn sexual expression into something shameful, bad and downright wrong.  The people who don't believe in sex addiciton believe that the people who treat sex addiction are out to create profitable businesses.  The people who do believe that sex addiction is a real problem see the porn industry as the major profiteers. 

The anti-sex addiction people believe that the pro-sex addiction people are out to create a culture of fear.  They believe if the pro-sex addiction people succeed then sexual expression will be feared and the use of pornography, homosexual sex, premarital sex, and other sexual behaviors will be shut down.

Do you think that sex addiciton is real?  Or do you think it's a construction to make people scared; to give up pornography, pleasure and the right to sexual expression?

How do you know if you are a sexual free spirit or if sex is causing you problems? 

Please click the comment button below and let us know your thoughts on this topic.

Comments

[Akis]

Sex addiction certainly does exist! And it is an addiction just like gambling, alcohol, or drugs. And I know because I am trying to recover from this problem. You can read my blog to learn more about me.
I am however against the closing down of sex-related establishments. Its better to have the activity legal ,and in a controlled environment rather than have the whole sex industry go undergound. People should be free to choose, but they should also have unlimited access to information regarding the risks of sex addiction.

[Mark]

I understand this dilemma. As someone who works with people dealing with compulsive sexual behavior, I suppose it's obvious which side of the equation I would fall on. That said, I am not going to become an anti-porn crusader. I think it's helpful to view this like the alcohol and prohibition debates in the last century. In retrospect it seems obvious that prohibition was never going to be the right solution, because some people are able to use alcohol without abusing and/or becoming addicted to it. We've decided as a society to let people drink if they want to, and focus our interventions on people who are getting into trouble. The same is true with sexual behaviors of various kinds. Why argue with people about sexual behaviors they don't feel are problematic? Let's just focus on people who are trying to change or stop behaviors, and realizing that they can't.

[james]

As an addict, it is hard not to view pornography, etc as the devil, as for us..well, it is. But, at the same time I realize some people can use adult material responsibly, just like I can drink and not be an alcoholic.

[lily]

There is no such thing as sexual addiction. There are people out there who would like to create fear and shame for those who are sexually liberated. Also old, ugly and jealous wives who would like to control their husbands. They drag their unfaithful husbands to the counseling and brain wash them, making poor men believe they are so called "sex addicts". But these stupid women will never admit their husbands are cheating, or watching porn simply because the wife gained 100 extra pounds, doesnt shave her legs, doesn't wax down there and doesn't use deodorant. Sex addiction, gimme a break!!!!