I agree with Suzi (then again I aways do) about addictive personalities - I have one, given up the drugs, that wasn't too bad, gambling - really tough, smoking is the hardest thing and I'm still trying.
I just have one query - how can you be addicted to sex?
Who says what amount is sufficient and what amount is too much, as Suzi keeps reminding me we have minors so don't go into detail but I keep reading about this star and that celebrity is sex addicted and all I think is - lucky them, I wish I had the oppertunity.
I think the only bit I've found is not to replace one addiction with another and it is to do with self image; I started smoking at school to look older and tougher now I am am older and tougher I struggle to control it.

But you have, you only need to be famous

"sex addicted" is just a new name for infidelity and shall try to explain why he/she must be allowed to do it.....

I am speaking as a person who joined the ranks of the recovering 0ver 19 years ago. You name it if it got me high and you had it I wanted it. I was a miserable excuse for a human being and, was the last person you would want to have involved in your life. I would steal money from your wallet to buy you a drink at the bar.
I went to treatment and Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. There I learned one important thing Service to others no matter how incidental or seemingly minor is a Spiritual Tool to gain enlightenment, and Serving others is in effect Serving the Gods. I won't Tell you to go to AA or NA but if you are like me An Addict and an Alcoholic they were all that worked. Were it not for the 12 Steps I would not have become Pagan and or the Person I am today.

AA and NA do work for you if you are in the right frame of mind and in the right phase of your life.  Many people have found comfort when they have found their higher self.

Unfortunately this approach is not effective for some people and their struggle with addiction becomes an epic journey that often terminates in death.

Again it comes back to what you consider an addiction.  Not sure i see promiscuity as an addiction, i see that more as a byproduct of modern life.

I do believe that people have quirks in their personalities and very unhealthy ideas about things.  I was counselling a few people today about food, they felt they had a food addiction, i did not agree, i felt it was their attitude to food that was causing problems.  They said food was bad for them, i say no we need food to live, you just make bad food choices because it suits you to do so.

Singingbear i thought it was great that you shared your story with us and would like to thank you.

Suzi

I was careful not to brand anyone and only stated what worked for me. I did not say it was the only way, I said it was the way that worked for me.
For What it is Worth, There are multiple things that make Sex an addiction from the build up, to the "Chase" to the Act itself as well as the Physical effect of the endorphine release at the end. With many Addiction is as Much the Ritual of the act as the Physical effect produced.
You are absolutely correct AA and NA and the 12 Steps are not for everyone, they are for those of us who want them.