Getting Off

This is a powerful memoir exploring the depths that addiction can reach and the harm that it can cause. The author is very open and honest about her behavior and actions as she fed her sexual addiction. One of the strengths of the book is that the author is female and is writing about a type of addiction that most people would associate with men. Not only does this hopefully make it easier for other women to confront their own sex addiction, if appropriate, but hopefully her courage in writing this memoir will help others who are struggling with an addiction that is stereotypically associated with a particular gender or ethnic group or socioeconomic status or other category that does not fit the particular addict.

Another strength of the book is that the author acknowledges that she is not "cured." She admits that she still experiences the urges/desires to engage in the self-destructive behavior that defined her life for so many years and she admits that sometimes she slips up and indulges these desires, but she has developed coping skills to both help her deal with and move forward after "falling off the wagon" and keep her from sinking too far back into past unhealthy habits.

While many people might be turned off by the subject matter (or only read it for the salacious content), I think the book is valuable for everyone. Although most people do not have an addiction as time-consuming and destructive as the author's, I think all of us have an addiction of some sorts or are prone to addiction, whether it is sex, drugs, gambling, shopping, food, the computer, exercise, work, spirituality, etc. as a way to compensate for or escape from some aspect of ourselves that we dislike, are ashamed of, fear, etc. We could all benefit from taking a deeper look at ourselves, the things we do/how we spend our time, and whether our actions/behaviors are truly healthy.