Ferree on Sexual Addiction - Essay Example

? Ferree on Sexual Addiction al affiliation The nature of a person is a part of a big element consisting of factors that determine his or her behavior. Addiction of any kind makes a body compulsive and obsessed. Sexual addiction is one of the most common addictions in America which is highly ignored. Most people do not have any of the features of the disease. Ferree on Sexual Addiction Introduction Sexual addiction is an intimacy addiction that advances gradually and is usually illustrated by obsessive sexual feelings and needs. Sexual addiction both in men and women is a common problem in the world today. Sexual addiction has become a major problem worldwide and continues to affect a lot of people due to the fact that people who have it have not received any help in the discussions. While people are ignoring the addiction, it continues to affect lives and cause disharmony in the society. The availability and affordability of the Internet has led to the excebartion of the problem as more Christians find themselves glued to the habit. Sexual addiction is a comprehensive disease that requires a tough solution. The problem is that sexual addiction incorporates physiological and biological facets. This paper discusses Ferree’s position towards sexual addiction and how it affects the lives of women. Furthermore, the paper discusses the main aspects of sexual addiction and treatment of the problem. Synopsis Ferree views sexual addiction as a sin and a disease that may lead to abuse. Sexual addiction is an addiction just like any other one. The obsession with sexual thoughts and deeds compromise the situation of most women in America who might think that sexual addiction is just a normal lust. Sexual addiction is fuelled by the despair to such an extent that it causes people to respond in a negative manner. According to Ferree sexual addiction has both emotional and spiritual elements (Ferree, 2010, p.47). Sexual addicts are obsessed with the deed of sex. Some part of sexual fantansies become etched in their minds either as a shame or a guilt. Sexual addiction recognizes a pathological and disposition shifting in the mind of a person. When sex is used as a mood regulater in a damaging behavior, it becomes addictive to people. When sex is polluted by an unconstructive association and a union that does not cause joy, then it becomes an addiction. According to Ferree sexual addiction proffers a continuation of the deed in spite of unhelpful outcomes (Ferree, 2010, p.48). Sexual addiction harms the body and emotional mind of a person. Sexual addicts will continue to engage in the problem even after seeing the dangers of sexual addiction. My position on sexual addiction is similar to the views expressed by Ferree. Sexual addiction is a sin and disease for people. It gradually progresses in a person’s mentality until it becomes ethed in their mind. Sexual addiction is harmful and can lead to dangerous outcomes ranging from the abuse of sex privileges to promiscuity. Family Dynamics The choice of being a sexual addict does not come from a person. According to Ferree the cause of sexual addiction lies in our family structure (Ferree, 2010, p.100). The main cause of sexual addiction is our families. Ferree writes that the best approach towards sexual addiction is comprehending the problem rather than faulting our parents. According to Ferree the cause of sexual addiction is a non-functional family that creates harmful effect onto children (Ferree, 2010, p.104). Ferree writes that the causes of sexual addiction stem from the family in several ways. In the harmful families, children are taught to always blame their predicament on anything. This kind of blame puts people in a dangerous place as they will break rules they have set for themselves and, in return, blame situations and people for their situation. Children taught that they fathers and mothers are always right will have a high affinity for sexual addiction. Parents will commit heinous acts towards their kids and then tell them that it was right. Such kids will grow up in an environment that seeks to create problems rather than solve them. Kids take their parents as senior and respect them in a broad manner. In this regard kids will put the blame for somebody else and not their parents. This makes children grow compulsively leaning towards sexual fantansies. According to Ferree people believe that sexual addiction is not a disease and is a form of choice of a person. This belief makes people engage in the problem without even realize the kind of dilemma that they face. This kind of behavior affect sexual addiction in a positive manner creating a massive growth. I disagree with Ferree with one aspect of sexual addiction. Sexual addiction can be caused by the choices we make. In some instances, alcoholism and boredom may drive people to commit the sin of sex. People engaged in alcoholism may be susceptible to the problem more than ordinary people. This is due to the fact that alcoholism impairs judgement and makes people have a low self-esteem. A low self-esteem is a main component of sexual addiction. Treatment of Sexual Addiction Ferree recommends grace as a good remedy for sexual addiction. Understanding grace is essential for treating sexual addiction. Grace can work miracles in the recovery process of sexual addicts by instilling a strong personality built on morals. People need to be educated on the power of grace and lead a healthy life. Fantasy and occupation of mind with sexual thoughts drives the addiction of sex to a new height. Grace will create a clear-headedness ritual of discipline through hope, consideration, and faith. Counseling will defeat the evil features of sexual addiction through a mechanical process that centers on behavior of sexual addicts and the impact infatuation has had on them. Ferree advocates for twelve steps in her counseling that will prove useful and achieve results with the problem of addiction. Apart from sexual addiction, sexual addicts are also disheartened. Counseling, thus, becomes vital in addressing the issue since medical treatment will offer a final mechanism to the disease. Despair is a medical sickness that has no boundaries, and once it takes roots in a sexual addict, recovery is futile. Intensive medical healing becomes essential in treating the problem of sexual addiction. Fellowship and responsibility will aid with the recovery. Fellowship will counterattack the shock and distress accompanying sexual addiction. According to Ferree fellowship is a key to the long-standing recuperation of sexual addiction disease (Ferree, 2010, p.162). On the other hand, responsibility drives fellowship to great lengths. For companionship to work it needs to be supported by accountability. People need to account for the development they are creating in their lives. Partnering with people who have suffered the same ailment simplifies this for people as they will identify and help each other. Churches form a big chunk of the growth of the recovery process as people will pray and offer guidance. Counseling is the best option of treating sexual addiction as it also addresses other issues that accompany the disease. In my opinion, the remedies suggested by Ferree are in a way prudent and proper for handling the problem of sexual addiction. Sexual Addiction in Church Ferree suggests fellowship, grace, and prayer in the church to solve the problem of sexual addiction. The church has a big responsibility in the healing of sexual addiction among female. People should not hide under the disguise of the church. A good example given by Ferree is the case of the adulterous woman. The church can play an important role in terminating the problem of sexual addiction. Sexual addicts should be advised on the importance of prayers, and how faith and grace can change the dynamics of sexual addiction. Fellowship promote an unprecedented change in the behavior of a sex addict by instilling faith in God and introducing a backlash of the issue. Sexual addiction can be fathomed in a wholesome scenario in the church today. However, Ferree sticks to a different view on the backlash and remedy for sexual addiction. Although, the church is a key in addressing the issue of sexual addiction it cannot completely eradicate the problem. Sexual addiction is a component of various segments that in some instances require medical attention and counseling, thus, the church may fail in one way or another. If a church uses the proper mechanisms of sermons, preaching, and counseling it can turn to address the issue appropriately. The church is identified with God which makes it suitable for tackling the issue. The church is an important institution in any Christian foundation and care needs to be taken to deal with a situation similar to the problem of sexual addicts. Conclusion Sexual addiction has many facets. People should advocate for a change of behavior in the culture of Christianity and offer solutions that will tackle the source of sexual addiction. As demonstrated by Ferree, sexual addiction plays a negative role in the social development of people. Proper documentation of the disease should be availed to psychologists to determine the best solutions of the problem. Christians are in a dire position of the problem, and if the issue is ignored there will be a backlash on them. The only agitation of people is the consequences caused by the disease. Reference Ferree, M. C. (2010). No stones: Women redeemed from sexual addiction. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Read More