Recommended Reading

Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., 1983.
Currently published by Hazelden Educational Materials, PO Box 176, Center City, MN 55012-0176.
This is the landmark book introducing and legitimizing sexual behaviors and sexual fantasies as an addictive disease. Dr. Carnes proposes three levels of sexual addiction, describes the addiction cycle and its progression, and presents the faulty core beliefs of the addict and the co addict and their healthy counterparts.

Contrary to Love: Helping the Sexual Addict, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., 1989.
Currently published by Hazelden.
In this sequel to Out of the Shadows, Dr. Carnes adds to his original descriptions of sex addiction, describing the stages of the illnesses. He presents here his Sexual Addiction Screening test, useful to therapists and addicts alike.

A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., 1992.
Published by Hazelden.
This is the first workbook on the Twelve Steps specifically designed with sex addicts and co addicts in mind. It offers comprehensive and practical exercises for each of the twelve steps for anyone for anyone working a sexual recovery program.

Don't Call It Love: Recovery from Sexual Addiction, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., 1991.
Published by Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10103.
Based on research involving over 1,000 recovering sex addicts and co addicts, this comprehensive work outlines the stages of recovery and presents advice from the addicts and co addicts themselves as they work to overcome their compulsive behavior. Recommended both for counselors and for recovering people.

Lonely All the Time: Recognizing, Understanding and Overcoming Sex Addiction, for Addicts and Codependents, by Ralph Earle, Ph.D. and Gregory Crow, 1989.
Published by Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
This book addresses the needs and concerns of all sexual addicts, regardless of their sexual orientation, and also of the addict's codependent partner. They authors explore the causes and symptoms of sex addiction, .They also include a comprehensive and practical approach to recovery for the addict and family.

Sex Addiction: Case Studies and Management, by Ralph H. Earle, Ph.D. and Marcus R. Earle, Ph.D., 1995.
Published by Brunner/Mazel, Inc., 19 Union Square West, Nw York, NY 10003.
Written for the professional who treats sex addiction, this book describes a comprehensive treatment program for the addict and family. It is highly recommended for professionals.

Hope and Recovery: A Twelve-Step Guide for Healing From Compulsive Sexual Behavior. 1987.
Currently published by Hazelden.
This was one of the first books to comprehensively describe the application of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to sexual addiction and compulsivity. It also includes a wide range of personal stories in which recovering sexual addicts share their experience, strength, and hope.

Women, Sex, and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power, by Charlotte Davis Kasl, Ph.D., 1989.
Published by Ticknor & Fields, 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
This book is a major contribution to the understanding and healing of sex addiction, romance addiction, and sexual codependency in women. It is full of wisdom and insight, shedding light on what happens to women in our society, how they survive it, and some roads to self-respect.

Faithful & True: Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction, by Mark Lauser, Ph.D, 1992.
Published by Zondervan Publishers, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI 49530.
This book approaches sex addiction and recovery from a Biblical perspective. Dr. Laaser traces its roots in families and in culture; shows how sex addiction can poison the lives of pastors and lay people alike; and describes a Twelve Step program for treatment and recovery.

Is It Love or is it Addiction? by Brenda Schaeffer, 1987.
Currently published by Hazelden Educational Materials, Center City, MN.
This book helps readers understand love addiction and to sort out the unhealthy, addictive elements in their romantic relationship. Brenda presents a solid theory of love addiction and healthy love, with practical examples to illustrate her concepts.

Back From Betrayal: Recovering From his Affairs, by Jennifer P. Schneider, M.D.,Ph.D. 1988.
Published by Ballantine Books, 201 E. 50 St., New York, NY 10022.
Dr. Schneideris pioneering work is the first written for women whose husbands keep getting involved in affairs. Based on interviews and her own experience, she addresses the anguish and helplessness which codependents feel daily. In clear, compassionate, and informed writing she describes the nature of sexual coaddiction, helps co addicts understand their own disease and their denial and isolation, and outlines a path to recovery.

Sex, Lies, and Forgiveness: Couples Speak on Healing From Sex Addiction, by Jennifer Schneider and Burt Schneider, 1991.
Published by Hazelden.
Based on interviews with about 100 couples, the authors describe how to rebuild trust, forgive past hurts, improve communication, and address the sexual problems which recovering couples often face. Very practical, it includes hundreds of comments from sex addicts and co addicts on what worked for them in enhancing their relationship. Women Who Love Sex Addicts; Help for Healing from the Effects of a Relationship with a Sex Addict, by Douglas Weiss and Diane DeBuske, 1993. Published by Discovery Press, 6500 West Freeway, Suite 202, Fort Worth, TX 76116. A practical guide for sexual co addicts. Revised

Cruise Control, by Robert Weiss MSW, CAS
Published by Alyson Books
Cruise Control leads men to a better understanding of the difference between sexual compulsion and non-addictive sexual behavior within the gay experience, and it explains what resources are available for recovery. A timely and important contribution to the body of recovery literature, Cruise Control provides understanding, empathy and encouragement to gay men seeking healthy sexual expression.

In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behaviour, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., and David L. Delmonico, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Griffin, M.A.
Published by Hadzelden Publishing
Updated with the latest information, trends, and developments, this book equips readers with specific strategies for recognizing and changing compulsive sexual behaviors. Personal stories reveal how desperate life can become for online sex addicts--divorce, career loss, and financial ruin are common outcomes. More importantly the authors set forth a path for breaking free from compulsive online sexual behavior and sustaining lifelong recovery.

Untangling the Web: Sex, Porn, and Fantasy Obsession in the Internet Age, by Robert Weiss, LCSQ, CAS, and Jennifer Schneider, M.D., Ph.D.
Published by Alyson Books
With personal stories from addicts and their significant others, this updated essential resource offers realistic healing strategies for anyone experiencing the devastating impact of Internet pornography and sex addiction on intimacy, relationships, career, health, and self-respect.

Lust/Anger/Love: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Road to Healthy Intimacy, by Maureen Canning, MA, LMFT
Published by Sourcebooks Inc.
Canning shows how compulsions are the product of early childhood abuse and how patterns, from the most violent to the most commonplace, develop. She explains that the overriding emotion sexually addicted people feel towards the partners with whom they seek intimacy is anger turned into sexuality, or "sexualized anger." This yields a false sense of security and power, an "aggressive tendency," which destroys any chance of a healthy relationship. Lust, Anger, Love offers a comprehensive and enlightening look at the origins of these little discussed behaviors and maps out a plan for recovery.

Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love, by Helen Fisher
Published by Holt Paperbacks

Is it Love or is it Addiction? By Brenda Schaeffer
Published by Hazelden Publishing.
Schaeffer draws on years of feedback and new developments to foster an understanding of love addiction: what it is and what it is not, how to identify it, and, even more important, how to get out of it. Stories of real individuals struggling to develop sound relationships illustrate the characteristics of healthy love and help readers to free themselves to live life more abundantly.

When He’s Married to Mom: How to help Mother-Enmeshed Men Open Their Hearts to True Love and Commitment, by Kenneth M. Adams, Ph.D., with Alexander P. Morgan
Published by Fireside.

The Betrayal Bond: Breaking Free of Exploitive Relationships, by Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D.
Published by HCI.
Patrick Carnes presents an in-depth study of exploitive relationships: why they form, who is most susceptible, and how they become so powerful. He explains to readers how to recognize when traumatic bonding has occurred and provides a checklist so they can examine their own relationships. Included are steps readers can take to safely extricate themselves or their loved ones from these situations.

Home Coming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child, by John Bradshaw
Published by Bantam.