ABSTRACT
Sexually compulsive behaviour can be pleasurable both in the preparation of the act and in the doing of it. Sexual addiction is a short-term, powerfully rewarded behaviour. The reward is so powerful that its strength often eclipses any negative after-effects of the behaviour. However, the reality is that sexual acting out often does have harmful consequences and does nothing to generate long-term wellbeing. This chapter describes some of the harmful consequences that the clients in author's clinical practice have experienced. Focusing our minds on the harmful consequences of addictive sexual behaviour is likely to generate shame and weaken an already fragile sense of self. One may not be arrested for his/her compulsive sexual behaviour but there can be other humiliations in the aftermath. The chapter also includes two exercises. The first is to make a list of all the harmful consequences of the behaviour over one's lifespan. The second is to write out a 'worst case' scenario.
