David Ley on the Myth of Sex Addiction
In this episode, Dr. David Ley, clinical psychologist and sex therapist, discusses the myth of "sex addiction" and his 2015 article Forensic Applications of "Sex Addiction" in US Legal Proceedings, published in Current Sexual Health Reports. He begins by discussing the history of the concept of "sex addiction," which is neither a formal diagnosis described under the DSM-V and has no standardized definition otherwise. Dr. Ley then explains how sex addiction and associated treatments are used as tools for avoiding responsibility for unhealthy and offending behavior, rather than addressing other, true causes such as narcissism. He then draws connections not only between those offering treatment for sex addiction and "pornography addiction," but also anti-masturbation movements like "NoFap," with white supremacist groups. Dr. Ley then highlights resources for sex workers to get access to sex-positive and non-judgmental mental healthcare. He closes by exhorting listeners to have deeper, more meaningful conversations about sex rather than continuing to have the "sensational, knee-jerk...blame sex" reaction so common as a response to many deeply entrenched social ills.This episode was hosted by Maybell Romero, Associate Professor of Law at Northern Illinois University College of Law. Romero is on Twitter at @MaybellRomero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.