Product Description

It's 3:30 a.m. and Kevin is still online, absorbed in pornographic images flashing across his computer screen, and searching for more. Hours ago he tucked his children into bed and said good night to his wife, retreating to the computer to "finish up some work." Although his late night ritual leaves Kevin ashamed and exhausted, he is too embarassed and guild-ridden to seek help. He tells himself that no one would understand anyway.

Anonymous and accessible, the Internet offers an alluring arena for compulsive sexual behavior. Destroyed marriages, career loss, and financial ruin are common outcomes. Revealing how desperate life can become for someone addicted to online sex, In the Shadows of the Net brings hope and healing to mena dn women struggling to understand and overcome this compulsive behavior. Drawing on their collective clinical expertise as well as current research, the authors equip readers with specific strategies for recognizing and recovering from compulsive online sexual behavior.

"A valuable road map for understanding and healing cybersex addictions." Windy Maltz, M.S.W., author, The Sexual Healing Journey, and coauthor, Private Thoughts

"In the Shadows of the Net shines a hopeful light on the dark side of cyberspace. It is certain to become a valued resource in dealing with a new frontier of addictive disorders.Kenneth M. Adams, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, and author Silently Seduced

"The authors Present a positive and effective approach to dealing with cybersex, a rapidsly increasing problem. In the Shadows of the Net is sure to become a classic in its field." Gary Blanchard, B.A., A.A.C., Addiction Counselor, and author, The Positive Path of Recovery

"Very powerful. In the Shadows of the Net comes at a time when the need is great for understanding and exploring cybersex treatment possibiliites. Today Internet pornography is more powerful than Viagra for many persons. I shall definitely recommend this book to my patients." Ralph H. Earle, M.Div., Ph.D., Prseident, Psychological Counseling Services, Ltd., coauthor, Lonely All the Time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #300598 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Patrick J. Carnes is a nationally-known speaker on addiction and recovery issues. He is the author of Out of the Shadows, Contrary to Love, A Gentle Path Through the 12 Steps, and Don't Call It Love. He is the clinical director for sexual disorder services at The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona. Carnes is the editor-in-chief of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, the official journal of the National Council of Sexual Addiction/Compulsivity, an organization for which he also serves as a board member. He also serves on the national advisory board of the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders.

Customer Reviews

amazingly valuable resource
My marriage ended because of my addiction to cybersex.

I am finally on the path to a new life. Therapy and a 12-step group are the key to recovery for me. I have found this book to be an amazingly valuable resource. Many of the other sexual addiction books are too broad... discussing many kinds of sexual addiction that I do not suffer from. But this book speaks directly to me.

If you have a problem with internet pornography, or even think you do, I reccomend this book. It paints a clear picture of your problem, and helps you begin to be honest with yourself about the extent of your problem. This is not psychobabble or uninformed "self-help" garbage. This book offers specific steps to recovery. You'll find that you cannot recover on your own (something I tried many times, but failed). Get this book -- you'll be happy you did.

In-depth look at a growing addiction
The Internet is a fascinating place, but for too many people, it is also fraught with danger, as they are sex addicts, and the Internet can become a sex addict's paradise. This book was highly readable, not too complex but didn't talk down to the reader, and includes exercises to help the cybersex addict get started on his/her recovery. If it has a flaw, it is that the authors' definition of sobriety is a little murky. Still, this is a very helpful book, with plenty of examples from real-life addicts. Should be read by everyone who compulsively uses the Internet for sexual gratification.

You May Not Think It's A Problem, But...
Like 100s of 1000s of other internet junkies--it is a legitimate
heartbreaking problem for people and their partners. Carnes has this book and several other highly recommended books that you MUST buy and you must find a therapist or local SLAA [Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous] Group to help you deal with it. What is IT? Cyber-sex addiction. Internet addiction. Cyber-chat addiction. Or compulsion or pre-occupation. Excellent book my wife and I read as we worked out our problems and we cannot recommend it enough. Don't fool yourself, this [cyber-sex, internet addiction] is a horrible problem that will just get worse as the internet [pulls] more innocent people in. Our society is being changed by this cyber-sex junk and not changed for the better. Every week we hear of another news report of someone murdered or abused by someone they met in a chatroom, we hear of another friend or acquaintance whose marriage borke apart because of it...we see trust destroyed or people shattered by this plague and so far only a few religious, psychologists and/or sociologists have recognized this growing problem, Dr. Carnes has been on the cutting edge and opened up the truth about it. Do yourself a favor and get this book.