Welcome to Episode 1 of Mental Health Rewritten!
In our season-opening episode, we confront one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized topics in mental health: sex addiction.
Through the story of Daniel — a man whose professional success masks a deep internal struggle — we explore how compulsive sexual behavior impacts relationships, careers, and personal identity.
Along the way, we challenge misconceptions about sex addiction, examine its clinical roots, and highlight the hidden pain it causes across gender lines and around the world.
Featuring clinical insights from Havi Kang, Dr. Justin Dodson, and Dr. Alexandra Katehakis, alongside research from Mayo Clinic and YouGov, we uncover:
What defines sex addiction and compulsive sexual behavior
Why shame and secrecy make healing harder
How societal stigma silences both men and women
The global scope of this often-taboo disorder
Rooted in research from the DSM-5 and ICD-11, and grounded in real-world stories, Mental Health Rewritten opens conversations where silence once reigned.
Tune in to hear how Daniel's journey toward healing begins — and how, together, we can start to rewrite the narrative about addiction, identity, and hope.
Listen now and subscribe for upcoming episodes exploring suicide, racial trauma, and more. Reminder: Mental health challenges are as real — and as serious — as physical ones.
If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a mental health professional.
Mental Health Rewritten, created by the OWLS Education Company, in collaboration with The Ummah Collective Group, is hosted, written, and produced by Dominic Lawson.
Executive Producers: Kenda Lawson and Dr. Whitney Howzell
Cover Art: Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections
Some music was provided by DJ Krate Digga of The Mighty Sound Champz Crew
Referenced & Supporting Sources
Does Society Have a Sex Addiction Problem?
Mayo Clinic Health System
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-society-have-a-sex-addiction-problem
Is Sex Addiction a Real Disorder? Majority of Americans Believe It Is
Newsweek / YouGov Poll (2018)
https://www.newsweek.com/sex-addiction-real-disorder-majority-americans-believe-it-1037560
Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder in ICD-11
World Health Organization / ICD-11 Browser
https://icd.who.int/browse11/l-m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1630268048
Why Sex Addiction Was Not Included in DSM-5
APA DSM-5 Task Force Discussion via Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21934-sex-addiction
AASECT Position on Sex Addiction
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (2016)
https://www.aasect.org/position-sex-addiction
Brain Activity in Sex Addiction Mirrors That of Drug Addiction
Cambridge University Study (PLOS ONE, 2014)
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140711095956.htm
Is Sexual Addiction the Real Deal?
UCLA Brain Study – EEG Research on Hypersexuality (2013)
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/study-casts-doubt-on-sex-addiction-246011
Sex Addiction and Childhood Trauma in Men
University of Georgia, College of Education (2024)
https://coe.uga.edu/news/2024-04-study-links-childhood-trauma-emotional-abuse-to-sex-addiction-in-men
Infidelity Statistics (U.S. Marriages)
Cooper Trachtenberg Law Group – Updated 2024
https://www.mcooperlaw.com/infidelity-stats-2024
Compulsive Sexual Behavior and Culture – A Clinical View
APA PsycNet – Middle Eastern & Global Treatment Challenges
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-89404-008
Assessment and Treatment of CSBD: A Sexual Medicine Perspective
Springer / Current Sexual Health Reports
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11930-019-00189-9
Sex Addiction in the UK: Rebecca Barker's Story
BBC News – Personal Narrative
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-43921760
Understanding Denial in Sexual Offending and Addictive Behavior
Washington State Sex Offender Policy Board
https://sgc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/SOPB/conference2018/Borg_presentation.pdf
CDC Historical Divorce Statistics – U.S. Marriage Trends
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/95facts/fs_439s.htm
Referenced Articles & Research
Majority of Americans Believe Sex Addiction is Real – Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/sex-addiction-real-disorder-majority-americans-believe-it-1037560
Does Society Have a Sex Addiction Problem? – Mayo Clinic Health System
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-society-have-a-sex-addiction-problem
UK Woman Shares Experience with Sex Addiction – BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-43921760
National Center for Health Statistics on Suicide Trends – CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/95facts/fs_439s.htm
Study Links Childhood Trauma to Sex Addiction in Men – University of Georgia College of Education
https://coe.uga.edu/news/2024-04-study-links-childhood-trauma-emotional-abuse-to-sex-addiction-in-men
Infidelity and Relationship Statistics (2024) – M. Cooper Law
https://www.mcooperlaw.com/infidelity-stats-2024
Sex Offender Policy & Research: Compulsive Sexual Behavior – Washington State SOPB Conference
https://sgc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/SOPB/conference2018/Borg_presentation.pdf
