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To many guys, having too much sex would be considered the opposite of a problem. But with the topic gaining media attention as celebrities like David Duchovny and Russell Brand enter treatment for sex addiction, we went in search of the true, sometimes devastating stories behind the punchlines. "John" is a sex addict who has cheated on his wife with over 50 women during the last 13 years.

I Was a Relationship Guy
I grew up in a Catholic household. I was very naïve. I had a high school sweetheart, then I had a college sweetheart that I married. There was no sowing of wild oats, there was no casual dating. I started cheating on my wife back in 1995.

Then I Discovered the Internet
Probably only about two or three years into it I discovered this new thing called the Internet. I started chatting with people, then we started chatting about sex, then exchanging pictures with one another, then agreeing to talk on the phone. Once the cat was out of the bag there was no putting it back in.

I post on Craigslist, Adult Friend Finder, Ashley Madison, Swinglifestyle.com. Sometimes I'll post three or four ads at one time at varying levels -- some platonic, some very explicit, some in between. At the all-time high I would say probably more than 8 hours a day was devoted to the pursuit of sex and I was meeting two or three people a week easy.

Read the rest of John's story after the jump.


Recent Headlines About Addiction

    (FILES) Photo taken January 30, 2008 shows waitresses at a Beijing restaurant offering free wireless access go online. China could become the first country to classify Internet addiction as a clinical disorder amid growing concern over compulsive Web use by millions of Chinese, state media said on November 10, 2008. The health ministry is likely to adopt a new manual on Internet addiction next year drawn up by Chinese psychologists that recognises it as a condition similar to compulsive gambling or alcohol addiction, the China Daily reported.. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    A woman begs from shoppers on a central Athens street on November 6, 2008. Though officially illegal, begging is largely tolerated by Greek police and widespread in the Athens centre, mostly by gypsies, disabled migrants and drug addicts... AFP PHOTO / Aris Messinis (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Ruth Graham, front, youngest daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, sings with audience members attending a conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2008. As part of her ministry, Graham addresses what she calls the "the elephants in the church world," issues like addiction, depression, eating disorders, sexual infidelity, anger, divorce, loneliness and pornography. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

    AP

    Ruth Graham, right, youngest daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, talks with a member of the audience at a conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2008. As part of her ministry, Graham addresses what she calls the "the elephants in the church world," issues like addiction, depression, eating disorders, sexual infidelity, anger, divorce, loneliness and pornography. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

    AP

    Ruth Graham, youngest daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, speaks at a conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2008. As part of her ministry, Graham addresses what she calls the "the elephants in the church world," issues like addiction, depression, eating disorders, sexual infidelity, anger, divorce, loneliness and pornography. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

    AP

    Ruth Graham, youngest daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, speaks at a conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2008. As part of her ministry, Graham addresses what she calls the "the elephants in the church world," issues like addiction, depression, eating disorders, sexual infidelity, anger, divorce, loneliness and pornography. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

    AP

    Ruth Graham, youngest daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, speaks at a conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 4, 2008. As part of her ministry, Graham addresses what she calls the "the elephants in the church world," issues like addiction, depression, eating disorders, sexual infidelity, anger, divorce, loneliness and pornography. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

    AP

    A Thai man displays a series of expression as he inhales glue while sheltering from a monsoon rain Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. While penalties for drug use and sales are stiff many addicts skirt the law by getting high on legal substances. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

    AP

    ** FILE ** In this June 30, 1994 file photo Argentina World Cup soccer player Diego Maradona is the center of media attention at an hotel in Dallas, Texas. The Argentina Football Association dropped the 33-year-old forward from their World Cup soccer squad just hours before the team's final first rund game against Bulgaria, after it was revealed that he had tested positive for the use of banned drugs. A star who was addicted to drugs, sentenced to jail for shooting at reporters and punched the ball into the net in a World Cup quarterfinal doesn't seem like the ideal candidate to coach a national football team. But this is Diego Maradona, one of football's all-time greats who can do no wrong in the eyes of Argentina's fans. Maradona, who turns 48 on Thursday, and Carlos Bilardo have been asked to lead the national team by Julio Grondona, head of the Argentine Football Association. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp, File)

    AP

    ** FILE ** In this June 22, 1986 file photo, Argentina's Diego Maradona, left, is seen in the controversial action in which he knocked the ball with his left hand into the net past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton to score. A star who was addicted to drugs, sentenced to jail for shooting at reporters and punched the ball into the net in a World Cup quarterfinal doesn't seem like the ideal candidate to coach a national football team. But this is Diego Maradona, one of football's all-time greats who can do no wrong in the eyes of Argentina's fans. Maradona, who turns 48 on Thursday, and Carlos Bilardo have been asked to lead the national team by Julio Grondona, head of the Argentine Football Association. (AP Photo/El Grafico, File)

    AP


The Spiral
I was fired from my job and when I look back the reason is because I really wasn't being productive because I was spending far too much time on the Internet. We had financial problems, had to sell the house and move. I would be lying if I said my addiction didn't play into that. I could have weathered the storm better if I wasn't so obsessed and spending so much time on sex sites.

Fringe Benefits Backlash
At one point I had a business and I placed an ad for a salesperson and I wanted to find someone who could help me with my business but was also attractive that I could have sex with. It was fun sexually but she was doing nothing for me in my business. Shortly after I let her go, I got a call from her saying she was pregnant. I basically had to pay her off to go away.

Getting Caught
My wife caught me around 2001 by looking at the computer logs. We were an hour away from a divorce sitting in divorce court with our lawyers negotiating with one another. One of the conditions that I had to agree to with my wife was to go to a sex addict's group therapy. We're still together, although she doesn't trust me really, nor should she.

The Prognosis
I wish I could say that I felt guilty because that would be the right thing to say but I honestly don't. I've been caught numerous times and I continue to do it. For me, this sexual addiction is more like a food addiction because people can't stop eating food. You just have to find the moderation. I feel the same way about my sexual addiction. It's foolish to think that I could ever not have it. If I chemically castrated myself it's not a feeling or urge that would ever go away. I should, but I don't have any regrets.