Love & Sex by Nancy Houston

Author:Nancy Houston
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781621577157
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
Published: 2017-12-21T05:00:00+00:00

MOVING FORWARD

Can sexual tastes be acquired? Our experiences, traumas, and what activates our libido have a profound impact on our sexual tastes. Dopamine is released during a sexual encounter, even an uninvited sexual encounter, which leads to a heightened sense of arousal and sexual craving. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, is responsible for giving us a rush when we accomplish something, so imagine the thrill received when ejaculation is completed.

For Trevor, his first experience was with another man and the release of dopamine reinforced the memory or bonding of the experience, helping the brain to remember where to return for the next arousing encounter. You can imagine how this becomes an addictive cycle and why same-sex porn has become problematic for Trevor. The research on sexual addiction continues to grow, but what we do know is that rather than providing relief for sexual tension, porn delivers tolerance, addictive tendencies, and an eventual decrease in pleasure. This leads the viewer to seek novel thrills, which typically includes an escalation in explicit and graphic materials and some violence.

Ted will be working with the men to reorganize the structure of their brains. Thankfully, God created our brains with the ability for our brain pathways to be rewired and reshaped as we discussed earlier. Scripture refers to this brain rewiring as the transformation of our brain. This happens by not conforming to the pressures and standards of this world. Ted knows, from years of experience that one of the best ways for this to take place is for the men to get into a therapy group where they can practice honesty, receive support, heal from traumas, and practice impulse control through accountability. Some of them will also need individual therapy to work through any trauma or neglect. Some may need treatment for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, and PTSD. I heard Dr. Daniel Amen, a brain disorder specialist, say, “Your brain must be able to cooperate with your recovery.”1

Recovery is highly possible. Today, we have a much better understanding of addictions and particularly sexual addiction. Sobriety is possible with the willingness to change and given the right help. I believe if a person wants to recover, if they truly are dedicated to healing, if they have hit bottom and are ready to do the work, the right help and resources will appear.

Here are some questions to ponder:

1.Can you see how early sexual experiences create brain problems later in life? What were your formative sexual experiences?

2.How did this story impact you? Are you relating to one of the characters? Who and how?

3.If Ted asked you to talk to someone in the empty chair, who would it be? Why? What happened?

4.Have you connected your sexuality with your spirituality? Or invited Jesus to be a part of this journey? There’s no better time than the present.

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