Sex Addiction is one of the most aggressive and damaging addictions we face today. Research shows that early exposure to pornography often contributes to someone becoming a sex addict. The days where you only worried about a child finding his dad’s playboy magazine are over. Both children and adults are exposed to images everyday in magazines, TV, videos, and the internet. The seeds are planted in the minds of many young people who are ripe for the addictive “dragon” of pornography. Sex Addiction has no boundaries regarding who it affects. It crosses every socio-economic line. Rich, poor, middle class, businessmen, teachers, pastors, -no one is spared. It is Misty Mountain’s belief that pornography is one of the chief weapons against Christian men and the family today. Christian men everyday are falling victim.  They often lose their reputation, their family, sometimes their job, and it leaves the church feeling ashamed and the world sits back and points their finger.   

What makes sex addiction so aggressive and damaging? First research shows that sex addiction is multifaceted. There is an emotional, spiritual and physical component to the addiction. Since it’s root is multifaceted, treatment then must address each facet. In addition, God created us as sexual beings. Sex and procreation are not foreign to our body. It’s not like other addictions in which a substance outside the body has to be consumed. So what God meant for our pleasure has been distorted for our eventual harm.  

Also sex addiction can destroy the fundamental core of what a marriage or relationship is built on.  Trust is broken. The message is your partner is not good enough. You begin to choose intimacy with a fantasy rather than true intimacy. It will become what Harry Schaumburg calls “False Intimacy”. The mind soon becomes conditioned for greater excitement than your spouse can give. A sense of detachment, anger, lack of trust, and lies all become normal in the marriage relationship. Divorce often seems to be the only solution to the pain that exists in the relationship. What started out as a dream soon becomes a nightmare. 

Recovery from sex addiction both individually and as a couple is often long term. Sometimes, it can be something that you can be at risk for the rest of your life. But through counseling and a relationship with a healing God, there is hope. If you are a man or women and find yourself struggling with the secret sin of pornography or sex addiction, please contact us to get some help and begin the road to recovery through a counseling and support program at Misty Mountain Family Counseling Center. Don’t wait till it’s too late and your marriage is destroyed and the sad faces of your children are added to the walking wounded. Your children need you!

Not sure if you are struggling with sex addiction? Click Here to link to a sex addiction assessment to see.

“The Internet has become a stealth bomber from hell with pornography as it’s payload”

Excerpt from the book Pure Desire by Pastor Ted Roberts

Sex Addiction Counseling

Individual, Premarital and Marriage Counseling in Portland, Oregon. In addition, Christian Counseling to address the difficult issues individuals, couples and families face in the 21st Century.