In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior [Hardcover]

Patrick J. Carnes (Author), David L. Delmonico (Author), Elizabeth Griffin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1568386206 | ISBN-13: 978-1568386201 | Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Edition: 1

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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., is the clinical director for sexual disorders services at The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona. Carnes is a nationally known speaker and writer on addition and recovery. Carnes lives in Wickenburg, Arizona.

David Delmonico,Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of counseling, psychology, and special education at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has worked in the field of Sexual addiction over the past decade, with a special focus on cybersex as a form of sexual addiction. Delmonico lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia.

Elizabeth griffin, M.A. is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 15 years experience treating sexual disorders. She lectures nationally on assessment and treatment of sexual disorders. Griffin lives in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden Publishing & Educational Services; 1 edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568386206
• ISBN-13: 978-1568386201
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #983,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Sexual

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazingly valuable resource, August 17, 2004

By 

A. R. Wheeler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior (Paperback)

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.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In-depth look at a growing addiction, March 3, 2003

By 

Tanja L. Walker "Tanja L. Walker" (Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior (Hardcover)

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.

88 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You May Not Think It's A Problem, But..., January 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior (Hardcover)

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.