woman rebuilding trust with husband

Sex Addiction Issues

A wide range of disorders that share a common theme

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Why Choose Us?

Gentle Path at The Meadows is uniquely designed to treat these complex issues. We provide a safe and nurturing community composed of their peers where men are guided along their journey of recovery by looking not just at problematic behaviors but at the root causes behind acting out. The goal is for each person who comes through our doors to gain the courage to face difficult issues, heal from trauma, and become accountable for their own feelings, behaviors, and recovery.

Gentle Path at The Meadows Entrance

Personalized Treatment Plan

Anyone who comes to us to address their sexual addiction issues follows a proven timeline designed to help them identify, understand, treat, and overcome their addictions. This includes six weeks of inpatient treatment, preparing each patient to continue the healing process once they return home. Treatment begins with a detailed series of assessments designed to identify the addictions and underlying issues that feed and compound sex addiction. This information guides the creation of a completely personalized treatment plan that includes the most progressive and well-researched sex addiction and trauma treatment available.

Industry Accreditation & Oversight

We are accredited by The Joint Commission and have been awarded their gold seal, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to safe, quality treatment that works. Joint Commission standards focus on a wide range of functions that are essential to providing safe, high-quality care. The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards set high expectations for our continued performance, and we work hard to continue to meet or exceed them.

Addressing These Complex Disorders

Sex addiction is real and can be defined as “a pathological relationship with a mood-altering experience.” Statistics show that 17 to 37 million people suffer from sex addiction. Compulsive sexual behavior, or sexual addiction, can have significant effects on someone’s mental and physical health.

Sexual addiction has also been called sexual dependency or sexual compulsivity. By any name it is a compulsive behavior that completely dominates the addicted person’s life. Simply put, sexual addicts make sex a priority more important than family, friends, and work. Sex becomes the organizing principle of their life, and they are willing to sacrifice what they cherish most to preserve and continue their unhealthy behavior. Men with sexual addiction may experience patterns of out-of-control sexual behavior.

Examples of sexual addiction issues include:

  • Compulsive masturbation
  • Indulging in pornography
  • Having chronic affairs
  • Dangerous sexual practices
  • Prostitution
  • Anonymous sex
  • Compulsive sexual episodes

There is no single number of partners or sex acts that make someone a sexual addict. Instead, sex is the food or drug in other addictions that provides the “high” needed to feel normal. Temporary pleasure and unhealthy relationships become more important than forming healthy, intimate relationships.

The Connection Between Trauma and Intimacy Disorders - Gentle Path at The Meadows

Sexually Based Issues We Treat

At Gentle Path at The Meadows, we understand the complex nature of male sexual addiction and address a wide range of sexually based issues.

Patrick Carnes, PhD, CAS

The founder and primary architect of Gentle Path at The Meadows, Dr. Patrick Carnes is a world-renowned expert on sex addiction and treatment. With more than 30 years in the field, Dr. Carnes has been a significant contributor to the advancement of sexual addiction treatment and research. His extensive knowledge, assessment tools, and related materials — including his 30-Task Model for sex addiction treatment — combine to create an unprecedented approach to addiction recovery.

Patrick Carnes video

Tour Our Campus

The first thing patients will notice about Gentle Path at The Meadows is the peaceful, natural setting. Our 35-acre campus creates an atmosphere that is conducive to contemplative work and self-examination. We’ve gone out of our way to make sure our spaces are casual and comfortable. The peacefulness of our desert setting lends itself to healing and renewal, too. But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself.

Gentle Path at The Meadows

Amenities

  • Pool
  • Expressive Arts Room
  • Labyrinth
  • Sand Volleyball
  • Ping-Pong
  • Putting Green
  • Outdoor Basketball Court
  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Brain Center
  • Serenity Orchard
  • Climbing Wall
  • Equine Therapy
Brain Center

Brain Center

Our science-based approach uses neurofeedback to teach self-regulation, enhancing the treatment process and providing valuable tools for ongoing recovery.

Survivors Workshop

Based on the pioneering work of Meadows Senior Fellow Pia Mellody, our Survivor’s Workshop helps patients address past trauma, release painful emotions, and begin to heal.

Group Therapy

Sexual issues can be isolating, so our small groups, led by CSAT-trained clinicians, provide camaraderie aimed at encouraging honesty and dissolving defense mechanisms.

Wellness/Holistic

Experiential therapies like equine, tai chi, yoga, and our climbing wall help restore balance and provide benefits that lead to whole-body healing and enhance the treatment process.

Somatic Experiencing®

This trademarked, body-oriented approach developed by one of our own Meadows Senior Fellows fosters relaxation, containment, and emotional self-regulation.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful, effective, and safe method for confronting past trauma and moving forward in freedom.

Change Your Story

At Gentle Path, our sole purpose is to help men understand that long-lasting recovery from their sexual addictions is possible. This safe, nurturing community is composed of peers where your journey of recovery will include not just dealing with outward behaviors but examining the underlying causes. The goal is to gain the courage to face difficult issues (including grief and loss), heal from emotional trauma, and become accountable for your feelings, behaviors, and recovery.

 Taking that first step is hard, but there’s a new life of health and hope just waiting for you. The next chapter of your life can begin now, but only you can change your story.

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