SRI director on importance of seeking treatment for sex addiction

Apr 3 2010

Following rumours that Jesse James has checked into rehab for sex addiction, Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, founding director of the Sexual Recovery Institute, today issued the following statement to explain how simple pleasure oriented behaviours can evolve into addiction and the importance of seeking treatment.

"No one goes into sex, drug or multi-addiction treatment out of the goodness of their heart. All addicts, from movie stars to sports legends to regular Joes, go to rehab to escape the negative consequences of their addictions and get out of trouble. That is a good thing. More important than the escapist motivation that brings the addict into treatment is what happens once they get there.

"Regardless of Jesse James' motives, be it saving his own image or marriage to Sandra Bullock, he's doing the right thing. Rehab is not 'country club fun,' and contrary to popular belief, it is anything but a cop out. We work hard in treatment settings to turn the addict's focus away from their immediate crisis' and onto the unresolved problems and poor life strategies that have kept them from living lives of dignity, self-worth and integrity.

"For some people, the same healthy pleasures that many of us enjoy from sex, drinking, eating, hard work, and occasional gambling can turn into a potent addictive mix. In fact, several studies have shown that nearly half of all sex addicts struggle with more than one other addiction in addition to their problem sexual behaviour. While I haven't assessed or treated Jesse James and can't comment on his specific diagnosis, his entrance into Sierra Tucson, a multi-addiction treatment center, suggests that he has likely gone there to address more than one single issue. The important part thing is that by checking himself in he is one step closer to personal healing and recovery."