First published in 1985. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Although still considered a taboo subject, sex addiction has become a secretly growing epidemic in today's society. The advent of social media, the easy access to free sexual content on the internet and the ability to remain anonymous in the exchange of these sexual activities has made it very easy for those with addictive personalities to lose control. It is believed that between three and six percent of the American population is suffering from some form of sexual addiction. Because this type of addiction is behavioral, it is important to first understand exactly what sex addiction is before determining whether you or a loved one needs help. According to research, those who were raised with dysfunctional families or experienced abuse as a child are more likely to become sex addicts. Many sex addicts have been abused sexually as children and a great number describe their parents as being distant and uncaring. It is not uncommon for these individuals to come from families with histories of substance abuse as well. Part of what makes sex addiction such a difficult problem to deal with is the fact that sex is such an important part of our existence. In fact, it is much like food in that it is necessary for survival. Overcoming the addiction and learning how to have a healthy, meaningful sexual relationship is crucial. It is safe to assume that because you are reading this book, you suspect that either you or someone you know is suffering from sex addiction. While a professional is the only one who can truly diagnose such an addiction, by making note of the following behaviors and taking the self-assessment quiz, you should be able to determine whether or not there is a problem.