In this episode, we discuss the difference between addiction & dependence, convenient diagnoses, compulsive sexual behavior within bipolar disorder & OCD, how to identify sex addiction & what recovery looks like.

Dr. Joshua Grubbs is an addiction researcher who found his interest in sex addiction in college (not as exciting as it sounds). He’s since published over 100 papers on sexual compulsive behavior disorder & serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Center on Alcohol, Substance use & Addiction at the University of New Mexico.

This episode originally aired February 13, 2023.

If you like this episode, you’ll also like episode 156: SHOULD SEX BE SAVED FOR MARRIAGE?

Guest:

https://twitter.com/JoshuaGrubbsPhD

https://www.joshuagrubbsphd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-grubbs-a3aa05267/

https://www.lifeafterpornography.com/privacy33621776

Host:

https://www.meredithforreal.com/

https://www.instagram.com/meredithforreal/

meredith@meredithforreal.com

https://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal

https://www.facebook.com/meredithforrealthecuriousintrovert

Sponsors:

https://www.jordanharbinger.com/starterpacks/

https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/

0:00 – Why we tackle taboo topics
2:16 – Is “sex addiction” just an excuse?
3:21 – Meet the researcher untangling the myth
5:41 – What really makes something an addiction?
9:11 – From ancient myths to modern labels
13:26 – Why novelty (not tolerance) drives porn use
17:51 – Cheater… or compulsive addict?
22:41 – When hypersexuality is a symptom, not a sin
26:41 – Addiction, OCD, or trauma response?
31:31 – How shame makes people self-diagnose
36:56 – The classic cases researchers look for
41:16 – Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
45:51 – What recovery actually looks like
50:21 – Why you should be cautious online
54:11 – Where to learn more from Dr. Grubbs
56:31 – Next episode: psychedelics & grief

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