Always Turned On: Sex Addiction in the Digital Age

by Robert Weiss, Jennifer P. Schneider

Technology has significantly changed our world. Sexual imagery and encounters can now be accessed anywhere, anytime, using portable electronic devices. Users can generate a stream of graphic pornography, a wide variety of virtual sexual activities, and casual, anonymous, or paid-for sexual encounters with a click or a tap. Simply put, we have greater access to highly stimulating sexual content, and potential sexual partners, with much less built-in accountability. Porn addicts are especially vulnerable to the lure of digital technology and the seemingly endless array of stimulation it provides. Research suggests that cyber-porn addicts spend at least eleven or twelve hours per week online viewing porn. Today, all forms of sex addiction are technology driven—from porn websites to webcams to casual sex hook-up apps found on smartphones. Sex addicts organize their lives around the pursuit of sexual activity with self or others, spending inordinate amounts of time viewing and masturbating to porn or planning, pursuing, and engaging in sex acts. At the same time, they neglect important relationships, work, and personal responsibilities. Overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse invade when the acting out ends. While it's complicated, recovery is possible. Always Turned On shows readers how to turn those temptations off while providing practical long-term solutions for recovery. Robert Weiss, MSW , is a therapist, international speaker, and regular blogger on Psych Central and the Huffington Post . Jennifer P. Schneider, MD, PhD , is a physician, international speaker, and the author of nine books.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2013

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mental health and addictions therapist, I wanted to read this book to learn how digital technology is impacting the prevalence of sex and love addiction in our postmodern world. I'll also be attending the 29th Annual Northwest Conference on Behavioral Health and Addiction Disorders this summer where the author (Robert Weiss) will be a speaker and he will be delving even more deeply into these issues to include how addiction and attachment are interconnected.

This book helped introduce me to this clinical issue and all the challenges that come along with it. I liked how the book explored this from different perspectives: for the individual struggling with it and what he/she can personally do to help oneself to promote recovery and prevent relapse, what it feels like to be the betrayed partner of a sex or love addict, and structured clinical interventions for the therapist to utilize in therapy (including resources to refer out if the therapist is not properly skilled or licensed in this clinical arena).

[Vegan Viajo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous for both social workers working with sex or love addicts as well as the addicts themselves defining exactly what sex and love addiction are as well as the root causes, vulnerabilities and treatments. However, my favorite part was how it showed one can prevent said behavior in our children. I saw Dr Weiss speak at a trauma conference and felt the passion for the subject not only at his speech but within his writing throughout the book. 5 stars.

[Debbie Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about the impact of readily available sexual content on the internet? This indepth analysis makes for a fascinating and troubling read.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book on the subject to be fair it was a lot more relatable on varying conditions humans have. Even though I'm not classed as a sex addict or porn addicted by their definitions, there is plenty of relatable content for everyone to appreciate and understand challenges that face us.

Testimonials from kids, parents, singles and all forms of related impact and the ones who are addicted.

Looking to focus on a book about and centered on hyper-sexuality next.

[Juan Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

me ayudará mucho

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but no earth shattering conclusions. Nothing anyone who has truly thought about hasn't already realized