People with symptoms of sexual addiction are generally afraid of truly intimate relationships. They repeatedly and compulsively try to connect with others through highly impersonal, non-intimate behaviors: masturbation, empty affairs, frequent visits to prostitutes, voyeurism, and the like.
For simplicity and clarity, the exercises in this workbook are divided into five basic sections, each designed to walk recovering sex addicts through a different phase of healing.
- Section one gets readers started on the pathway to recovery, helping them develop a personalized definition of and plan for sexual sobriety.
- Section two helps sex addicts better understand the various facets and nuances of their addiction.
- Section three focuses on relapse prevention, in particular the development of coping skills that can help recovering sex addicts stay sober no matter what.
- Section four starts readers on the "next step" of healing by identifying and addressing the underlying issues that drive their addictive behavior.
- Section five addresses life in sobriety, including dating and developing a happier, more well-rounded life.