ABSTRACT
Sex addiction, though not as obvious as addiction to alcohol or drugs, can be just as lethal. Its onset is typically early adolescence, prior to the emergence of substance abuse. The family history of a sex addict frequently reflects little intimacy, inconsistent rules, inadequate supervision, high expectations, and an intergenerational history of addictions. In such families, children are often neglected, mistreated, or exploited; thus, they are vulnerable to sexual and other kinds of abuse by those within or outside of the family. They inadvertently discover addiction as a means to cope with their physical and emotional wounds.
