Sexual Addiction and Tiger Woods

Pro Golfer Tiger Woods is back! After several months out of the spotlight, Woods has decided to return to competition with his first public appearance in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in April 2010.

Woods fall from grace began when the news broke of his alleged affair with former porn star Joslyn James in December 2009. This after Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren, had a bitter quarrel which resulted in his leaving the home and crashing his SUV into a tree in the dead of night near Thanksgiving. Later, it was reported that not only had Woods had an affair with Joslyn James, but with several other women as well.

During the past three months, Woods has struggled to regain the respect he lost due to his actions. After undergoing counseling and rehabilitation, he seems to be attempting to save his marriage and his family. Unfortunately, as a public figure, what would be a private matter for most of us is often uncovered and exposed to public scrutiny. This can be an added burden to an already stressful situation.

The question that arises is: Does Tiger Woods suffer from sexual addiction? If so, what does that mean for him, his family of four, and his future?

Sexual addiction can affect a person's life in many ways. Like any other kinds of addiction, the afflicted person experiences a craving so strong, it's an obsession. Thoughts of sex dominate the addict's thinking to the point that he finds it difficult to concentrate on work or other activities. Often he'll need help of some kind, via counseling and/or therapeutic drugs for rehabilitation.

Symptoms of sexual addiction vary in each individual from mildly significant to extreme. An extra-marital affair may or may not indicate sexual addiction, although it is a symptom associated with sexual addiction, especially multiple infidelities. Other symptoms are: fascination of pornography, prostitution solicitation, obscene phone calls and obsessive-compulsive sexual traits.

Sexual addiction is usually diagnosed only when the addict admits he has a problem and seeks help, or when his risky behavior gets him into legal, financial or relationship trouble. Then it can be diagnosed by a trained psychologist or physician.

Woods isn't the first public figure to succumb to apparent sexually addictive behavior. Most recently NC Senator John Edwards has had his own problems since his subsequent affair with Rielle Hunter came to light. To further complicate matters, he and Hunter now share a two-year-old child together, although he initially denied both the affair and paternity. Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth (who is the mother of his three children) are currently separated. Elizabeth, who is battling cancer, lives in the family home.

Only time will tell if the scars these families have suffered will heal. The return of Tiger Woods to a major golf tournament is certainly a good first step in regaining his popularity within American society. When it comes to matters within their family of four, that's a decision he and his wife will have to make. According to AllHeadlineNews.com, their divorce plans have been, at least temporarily, put on hold.

When sexual addiction rears its ugly head, not only does the addict suffer, but so does his family and those closest to him.

For help with sexual addiction, contact www.sexaddicthelp.com.

Sources:
Tiger and Elin
http://www.medicinenet.com/sexual_addiction
John Edwards