Shame, Secrets and Sex Addiction

Shame, Secrets and Sex Addiction

The movie Shame seems to be raising a lot of social recognition of sex addiction. This movie is filmed with an artistic perspective and depicts a man who has compulsive sex and a lack of emotional involvement in all relationships, including his family. The viewer gets the feeling that the surroundings are enticing, such as hotels, clubs, and restaurants; yet the main character is not having fun. He is constantly looking for his next fix and even though he achieves his goal, he is not satisfied.

Sex addiction is extremely similar to alcohol and/or drug addiction. While in active addiction, we use substances to change our negative feelings. This only works temporarily and we end up using more frequently and the quantity of substances used increases. We know that the act of sex impacts chemicals in the brain much in the same way as alcohol or drug use. The anticipation of finding and having sex can begin to change chemicals in the brain just like an alcoholic or drug addict does.

An alcoholic or drug addict may switch addictions, and the act of sex should be one that an addict should watch out for. On the surface, the excessive use of sex doesn’t seem bad for a single person, however as depicted in the movie Shame, it is not enjoyable. Lastly, there is an underlying tone to the movie that there is deep seated pain that the main character is not addressing, hence his acting out using sex.