The National Council on Sexual Addiction Compulsivity has estimated that six to eight percent of Americans, and  approximately one in six women struggle with an addiction to pornography and sex. (Many women with sex addiction engage in casual sex, have multiple partners, or affairs. ) Author, and mom Erica Garza is one of the few women speaking out about her struggles with porn and compulsive masturbation (beginning at age 12), and later, sex addiction.  Her memoir, "Getting Off: One Woman’s Journey Through Sex and Porn Addiction" is a brave and eye-opening story that helps dispel myths and opens up a necessary conversation about addiction. On this episode of the podcast, Erica talks about the underlying anxieties that contributed to her addiction, the pain of living a secret life, and how she finally was able to experience pleasure without feelings of shame. Erica also shares how her former addiction informs how she parents her daughter, and offers tips for those who may be struggling with sex addiction and want to seek help.

Ways to get help:

• Attend Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous which follows the 12 Step Model from Alcoholics Anonymous
• Disrupt unhealthy patterns by turning off your internet or traveling someplace new
• Connect with others who are working to recover from addiction (any kind)

You can find her book here.

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