We're all on a sex 'bender
Number of Irish people seeking therapy shoots up due to addiction film
THE number of Irish people seeking help for sex addiction has doubled since the release of a new movie starring Kerry native Michael Fassbender. The A-List Irish actor (34) has been praised for his harrowing portrayal of man whose life is torn apart by his sexual urges in hit film 'Shame'.
And relationship experts in Ireland said many cinema-goers have identified with Fassbender's tortured character, who is seen constantly having sex and masturbating when his sexual conquests fail to satisfy him. Declan Fitzpatrick, who runs the Dublin-based Addictive Behaviours Centre Ireland, said the movie, directed by Steve McQueen, has doubled the number of enquiries he's received about the misunderstood problem.
Suffering
But he believes thousands more are suffering in silence, either unaware that they have a problem or that there is help available to them. In worst-case scenarios the out-of-control behaviour of sex addicts can completely destroy their lives, causing them to lose their jobs, families and leading to financial ruin. But Mr. Fitzpatrick said many more of the nation's sufferers, which he says could
be as high as 10 per cent, are likely to be successfully treated because of the film.
He said: "I've seen the film and I think it's very realistic, because it gets to the heart of the issue and depicts the struggle that sex addiction is for so many people.
"What it does well is debunk the myth that people who are addicted to sex are having the time of their lives by going around bonking
everybody.
"That's not the case. It's a nightmare scenario for those who suffer it. The addiction is typically driven by emotional pain and those going through it typically have low self-esteem and poor relationships.
"Unlike other addictions like alcohol, drugs and gambling, it's less understood and often trivialised. But it's a very complex issue and
affects both sexes, but predominantly males between 20 and 55, who make up 95 per cent of his clients.
"In men, in often manifests itself by sufferers having serial affairs, constantly looking at pornography and seeking out prostitutes, whereas women are more likely to become love or romance addicts. They become obsessed about someone and use sex to get that person."
Addicts
Lisa O'Hara, a counsellor with Relationships Ireland, also said she is anticipating a rise in the number of clients seeking help on foot of the film. She said: "The reality is that sex addicts are going through hell and their lives are full of despair.
"In the past couple of years we've been treating more people than ever and I'd estimate that a third of my clients are sex addicts, often with porn-related issues."
Sex addicts who seek help at Relationships Ireland are typically advised to follow a 90-day programme during which they abstain from having sex, sometimes even with their spouse or partner.
She added: "There's no doubt that thousands of people out there are suffering in silence. But hopefully that will change because of the film."
MADONNA will play her first ever concert in Dublin in July. The Queen of Pop is returning for only her second ever show in Ireland when she plays the capital in the summer. The Sunday World can reveal the controversial American superstar, who will perform at half-time in tonight's NFL Superbowl, is pencilled in to play the Aviva stadium on Saturday, July 28. Madonna was the first female performer to headline at Slane castle in August 2004, when she played to a sell-out crowd of 80,000 fans. This time around she will play to an audience of 50,000. There is also a strong possibility of a second show being added at the Aviva if demand is sufficient.
The 53-year-old will also perform a selection of her hits at the half time interval of the American Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Indianapolis tonight. She follows in the footsteps of the likes of U2 and Bon Jovi to play at the most watched TV spectacle of the year in the U.S.
When Elton received an award later in the evening, he used his time on the stage to assassinate Madonna's Best Live Act.
KEITH BARRY'S magic touch has payed off - he is set to land a screen role alongside acting legends Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Woody Harrelson. But the mind-bending illusionist isn't expecting any Oscars, as he reckons he will only get to deliver one line in heist movie Now You See Me.