Sexual behavior

I am writing in response to the article New 12-step therapy program for troubled sex junkies by Alexandra Duval Smith (May 4). While much of the information in the article is accurate, the sarcastic, jocular, and negative tone of the article is quite misleading. Smith's last paragraph, in which she suggests that 12-step meetings could be sex orgies, is particularly offensive.

As an American, I agree that Americans seem to have a penchant these days for self-help programs and seeing oneself as a victim. But that does not invalidate the importance of treatment for the many people who have a genuine problem with compulsive behavior in the areas of sex and relationships. As a therapist, I have worked with clients that have this type of addiction. and it can indeed be painful, causing many problems in their lives.

There are people who engage in sexual behavior that may be seen as abnormal or amoral but do not have a sexual addiction. Dr. Carnes himself says that "Deviant behavior does not necessarily indicate the presence of an addiction."

An addiction is identified by a pattern of behavior that is engaged in compulsively over time. In spite of frequent attempts to reform and to end the behavior, the addict is unable to stop, even when it threatens career, finances, or family.

Smith's article identifies an expensive treatment center and implies that treatment in general is costly. Most of the treatment is in community-based, voluntary groups which ask a donation from those that can afford it to cover the cost of coffee and tea. These groups are set up on a 12-step model similar to Alcoholics Anonymous and have been found to be very effective in treating compulsive sexual behavior.

Identifying someone as having a sexual addiction does not absolve them of responsibility for their behavior, any more than identifying someone as an alcoholic absolves them of what they do when drunk. But it does allow for treatment which may help them break a destructive behavior pattern.

IRENE WALTON

Director of Counseling

The International Community

Activity Center, Jakarta