In this episode of the Therapists' Take Podcast, we explore the complex relationship between sexual addiction and the brain's functioning. Join us as we discuss how compulsive behaviors are driven by the brain's reward system and how the brain gets hi-jacked when addiction forms. We also dive into practical approaches for recovery and how trauma and emotional wounds contribute to the cycle of addiction. Whether you're a mental health professional, someone affected by these issues, or simply curious about the psychology of addiction, this episode is packed with insights and hope for healing.

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Episode Breakdown:

1. Dopamine and the Neuroscience of Sex Addiction: How the brain's reward system gets hijacked, leading to compulsive behaviors.


2. Maladaptive Coping and the Role of Trauma: How unresolved trauma fuels addiction, and why addressing these wounds is crucial for recovery.


3. Neuroplasticity and the Challenges in Breaking the Cycle of Addiction: Why willpower alone isn’t enough and how neuroplasticity can play a role in long-term change.


4. Finding Hope in Recovery: Practical strategies for overcoming sex addiction and regaining control, including therapy, support systems, and healthier coping mechanisms.

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Books and Resources:

📚Out of the Shadows by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D. - https://amzn.to/402uEOW

📚Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson - https://amzn.to/400P3nl

📚Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hi-Jacks the Male Brain by William Struthers, Ph.D. - https://amzn.to/3U8LWGu

📚The Brain the Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, MD - https://amzn.to/4dG1VCF

📚TINSA: A Neurological Approach to the Treatment of Sex Addiction by Michael Barta, Ph.D. CSAT - https://amzn.to/3zKPmbx

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Therapist Directories:

CSAT (Certified S*x Addiction Therapist): https://www.iitap.com

Somatic Experiencing: https://directory.traumahealing.org

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): https://www.emdria.org/find-a-therapist/

Brainspotting: https://www.brainspotting.com/directory

IFS (Internal Family Systems): https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners

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About the Hosts:

Carrie and Josh are both licensed marital and family therapists (LMFT) that specialize in betrayal trauma recovery. You can read more about them and the work they do on their practice website -https://www.familysolutionsok.com.

Check out our LinkTree for more great content - https://linktr.ee/familysolutionsok