What is Sex Addiction Anonymous?

What is Sex Addicts Anonymous? (SAA)

“As a fellowship of recovering addicts, Sex Addicts Anonymous offers a message of hope to anyone who suffers from sex addiction..... The basic principles of recovery practiced by SAA are found in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Although we are not affiliated with AA or with any other organization or agency, we are, indeed, grateful for permission to modify and apply the Steps and Traditions to sex addiction, making recovery possible for us.”(http://saa-recovery.org/)

What is Sexaholics Anonymous? (SA)

“SA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover.. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop lusting and become sexually sober. There are no dues or fees for SA membership; we are self-supporting through out own contributions....Our primary purpose is to stay sexually sober and help other sexaholics to achieve sobriety.” (http://www.sauk.org/)

If you need help with sex addiction steps2rehab is here to help. http://www.steps2rehab.com/addictions/sexual-addiction/

 

'Sunbed tans are addictive warn researchers'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8625840.stm

The link above refers to a BBC news story about 'Tanorexia' - people who are addicted to sun beds and sun lamps.  The story comes from a study conducted by researchers in the US that have found that 'around a third of people who use sunbeds may become addicted to the tanning effects'.

Valid piece of research or lacking in scientific merit?... you decide...

Researchers in Spain Validate Scale to Judge Work Addiction.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018190670?Researchers%20In%20Spain%20Validate%20Scale%20To%20Judge%20Work%20Addiction

The above link takes you to a news article about the development of the DUWAS (Dutch Work Addiction Scale) created by researchers in Spain.  It is estimated that work addiction currently effects up to 12% of the population of Spain.

To read more look up the Spanish journal Psicothema....

Airbrushing Ban - impact on eating disorders?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1226162/Call-ban-airbrushing-ads-leave-girls-loathing-bodies.html

The above link refers to an article published by the Daily Mail that discusses the call from 40 of the world's leading experts on body image to ban airbrushing photos in advertising for under 16s.

The experts advise that airbrushing models to give them unrealistic bodies has helped to create “a generation of young women with eating disorders and depression”.

In response to the experts claims that such unnaturally skinny models can make 'girls as young as five become self-conscious about their weight' advertisers have suggested that what goes on at home (e.g. diet and parental influence) is more likely to influence young woman.

The Advertising Standards Authority has already received over a thousand complaints about airbrushed images, but so far has refused to act; stating that the complaints have no scientific foundation – in response four academics have completed a literature review of 100 academic studies suggesting that there is a scientific bases to the complaints.

What do you think – will banning airbrushed images have a significant impact on young people developing eating disorders?

Internet addiction is a clinical disease...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3437769/China-offers-therapy-to-4-million-internet-addicts.html

The above links refers to an article published by the Telegraph.co.uk written concerning Internet addictions. Whilst the article refers mainly to the population of China it highlights the fact that as technology develops so it creates more avenues for addiction problems to manifest themselves – without the Internet there would be no Internet addiction, but that would not necessarily dictate that those 4 million people in China (and everyone throughout the world that has an Internet addiction) would be free from any addiction problems? As far as this article suggests, the classification for such a problem as an Internet addiction involves an analysis of time spent on the Internet and physiological reactions, whilst hard to define the problem is evident. We need to be aware and make it a priority to educate the masses about the wide spread problem of addictions – regardless of whether it is modern technology or substance abuse that is the latest example to highlight the problem.

Gaming Addictions - 'like being on drugs'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/03/scivideo103.xml

More and more evidence is pointing towards new technology and it's increasing link to addiction problems - problems defined as just as serious as more commonly acknowledged addictions, like heroin addiction and alcoholism.  Just what are the risk factors and how can video games seriously damage your life?  What is the extent of this problem and with the world of gaming developing more rapidly that most industries on the planet are we causing a huge new problem for the next generations?

Gambling - opportunity and addiction

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/ontv/theinsider/britains+gambling+addiction/611277

The above link refers to a Channel 4 article written addressing the ever increasing number of betting shops, bookies and casinos, all offering easy opportunities to gamble.  What should the government be doing to tackle problem gambling in light of their continued licensing of new places for people to spend money?   Many people develop addiction problems leading to financial and psychological issues for them and their families - is problem gambling really recognised by the government as it should be?

'Only teenage girls suffer' - the anorexic myth

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2276774,00.html

The tragic death of Prof. Rosemary Pope is a clear and unarguable illustration of the widespread nature of eating disorders - a common misconception is that eating disorders only affect young females - and additionally that the only indication of an eating disorder is extreme weight loss - this is just not the case.  The above link to an article published in The Guardian addresses these misconceptions and highlights the impact this mental illness can have over suffering individuals, whether they are young, old, male or female. Let us hope that the death of such a celebrated eminent academic wakes up all up to the 'changing face of anorexia' and other eating disorders.

 

Sexual Addiction - diagnosis and media view...

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/features/sex-addiction-the-facts-from-the-fruity-fiction-817896.html

 This recent article in The Independent highlights the prevalence and also the stigma behind sex addictions - what do you think about Lord Irvine Laidlaw of Rothiemay and the climate surrounding this very real, but somewhat investigated addiction problem?