Mental Health

This chapter begins with an exploration of the reward system and its connection to the disease of addiction. The neurobiological underpinning of the disease is explored in detail and is overlaid with the biology of sexual reward. The chapter uses Internet pornography abuse as a reference model for the overuse of sexuality to the point of the development of an addiction. The concept of sex addiction is constructed using common criteria for behavioral addictions and other conceptualizations of out-of-control sexual behavior. Finally, opponent arguments to the concept of sex addiction are addressed in light of neurobiology, particularly as it applies to tolerance and withdrawal.