Socio-Cultural Approaches To Addiction

As a social work student, being a part of many class discussions regarding addictions, sexual addictions are among the least talked about and probably the least understood of all addictions. Listening to the podcast the knowledge gathered suggest sex addiction is the progression of an intimacy disorder as a result of neurotic sexual thoughts and acts. The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” Consequently, persons suffering with sex addiction may choose to continue by engaging in particular sexual activities regardless of potential health risks, financial problems, …show more content…
There are four basic approaches to addictions treatment: Biological, Psychological, Socio-Cultural, and Spiritual. People can combine these various approaches to match their individual needs and circumstances as they work to develop their own individualized, custom-tailored approach to recovery. Biological approaches to addictions treatment attempt to correct or modify the presumed underlying biological causes of addiction. This approach follows a logical rationale. Psychological approaches to sexual addiction aim to increase a person’s motivation for change. Helping people to accurately appraise the costs and benefits of their addiction increases their motivation. Socio-cultural approaches to addictions recovery emphasizes the important influence of social groups on individuals as they attempt to recover. Spiritual approaches to sexual addiction recovery are based on research that has repeatedly demonstrated that spirituality can have a positive effect on recovery from many diseases and …show more content…
Oftentimes, sex addicts are assumed to have a large appetite for sex. However, sex addicts don’t necessarily enjoy sex more than other people. In all reality, the sex addict is compelled to act out sexually. There is no set personality for sex addicts, most times the idea that a sex addicts have a particular physical description/habits is not true. The stigma that all sex addicts are actually sex offenders lays a burden of proof on the addict to prove they are not sex offenders. Social climate towards sex addiction often assume that sufferers are sleazy, out of control, untrustworthy, and even dangerous. This is of course almost always inaccurate, but these are the judgements and stigmas that surround people with sex addiction