A Personal and Professional Reaction to Sexual Addiction

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A Personal and Professional Reaction to Sexual Addiction
Introduction
Sexual addiction is a prevalent problem in our society that is often not recognized or acknowledged. Marnie Ferree takes on the difficult and sensitive topic regarding women who are struggling with sexual addiction. She gives insights to her personal struggle and battle with sexual addiction while providing hope that sobriety and healing are possible.
The book is broken into three sections: the problem of sexual addiction, the root of that problem and the solution. Each section is covered in depth while giving examples of her struggles and of others who have struggled. The reader is made to feel that they are not alone.
The Problem
Marnie Ferree explains that sexual addiction occurs in woman just as it does in men. Our society tends to think of sexual addiction as a sin thing and a male problem when in fact sexual addiction does not discriminate between men, women, Christians, Americans, etc. It is important to understand what sexual addiction is. It is being addicted to a pathological relationship with a mood-altering substance or behavior (Ferree, 2010). It is an unhealthy and diseased relationship.
Sexual addiction is a widespread problem, approximately forty fix percent of adults in the United States is sexually addicted, about forty to fifty percent are women (Ferree, 2010). Sexual addiction is a secret sin that has been around since the beginning of time. In order to fully heal from sexual addiction, the person must surrender themselves powerless to the addiction and turn to God to start the journey to recovery.
There are various religious and cultural messages involving sexual addiction. In today’s world sex equals power, everyone is thought to ...

... middle of paper ...

... turn for help and to confide their sins. As Christians we should not judge others, God is the judge. We should help those who need it and not throw stones. John 8:1 – 11 discusses the woman who committed adultery and Jesus asked those who were sinless to throw the first stone and everyone left. How true that is when dealing with someone with sexual addiction or any addiction.
Conclusion
Sexual addiction is real and there is a great need for churches to be involved in the healing and recovery of the addict. It is important for the addict to surrender to God and accept that they are powerless over the addiction. There is hope and recovery is possible through hard work and dedication. It is not an easy road but it is possible. With the right tools anyone can succeed.

Works Cited

Ferree, M. C. (2010). No Stones (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

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