Sex and Love: Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery

More than 10 years ago the US National Institute of Health identified sexual addiction as a research priority. Experts now conservatively estimate a prevalence rate of 5 percent of the American population. Eric Griffin-Shelley provides a detailed definition of sex and love addiction as well as an outline of treatment and recovery. He integrates sex and love in its formulation and also presents a two-level approach to recovery. This presentation provides examples and suggestions for change and supports the growing involvement of 12-step programmes in mental health. Professionals can use this resource in their clinical practice to identify and assist sex and love addicts. Griffin-Shelley describes the behaviour of sex and love addicts and the emotions they may be experiencing. Problems such as multiple addictions (to drugs, alcohol, food, work) are examined. The book’s two-layer approach to recovery focuses initially on the establishment of sobriety and the outlines an outer layer of protection that the sex and love addict can develop to sustain long-term recovery.