ABSTRACT
Like all additions, sex and pornography addiction are maladaptive coping strategies. For many, addictions start as a pursuit of pleasure, but over time they become an essential strategy for coping with life. Sex and porn addiction is explained through the BERSC Model, a bio-psycho-social approach that helps to provide a holistic and integrative view of the many causes of addiction. The OAT classification model is expanded upon to reveal the role that trauma and attachment play in the development of addictions. For those with opportunity-induced addictions, often referred to as contemporary rather than classic sex addiction, common issues around emotional regulation, adolescent isolation and negative sexual messages are also explored. Reference is made to other authors and researchers in the field including Carnes, Birchard, Gladwin, Katehakis and Schore.
