Reviews
Keys to Recovery Newspaper
Reviewed by The Crew
It’s Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual Addiction. Written by
Andrew Susskind, LCSW, SEP, CGP. Published by Central Recovery Press (CRP).
I’ve known Andrew for years, however I heard him speak at a presentation and I knew I had to read
and review this “guidebook for every person seeking long-term healing from sex addiction.”
“Ending compulsive sexual behavior is just the beginning.” Just like drinking, sexual addiction is
only a symptom of underlying causes. “These underlying causes trigger sexual compulsions and/or
substance use, emotional, and behavioral obsessions.” Susskind deals with the underlying issues that
must be addressed to achieve sustainable sexual sobriety, so that reliable relationships and
emotional intimacy can be reached.
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the Full Review
Sex and Relationship Healing Blog
Reviewed by Scott Brassart
Andrew Susskind is a clinical social worker, certified group psychotherapist, and somatic
experiencing and brainspotting practitioner in the Los Angeles area. He specializes in
relationships, sexual recovery, addictions, trauma, and mid-life transitions. After working with
hundreds of sex addicts in his career, he realized that there was a gap in the clinical literature
on sexual recovery. Lots of books and articles have discussed what sexual addiction is and how to
overcome it – but very little has been written about how sober sex addicts can move forward into
living healthy, happy lives.
Susskind’s forthcoming book, It’s Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after
Sexual Addiction (available to the public June 11) addresses this gap.
In a nutshell, he answers the question: “What happens after I get sober from my sexual
addiction?”
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The Clinical Update | Winter 2020
California Society of Clinical Social Work
Reviewed by Holly Wood, LMFT
In his work, It's Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy after Sexual
Addiction, author Andrew Susskind provides hope, guidance, and real-life examples of how to
sustain recovery after living with out-of-control sexual behavior (OCSB). The author describes the
paradox of sexual compulsivity: that sexual compulsion is a misguided attempt to gain a secure
attachment, yet compulsive sex creates distance from one’s emotional longing, turning into intimacy
avoidance.
This demonstrates both the difficulty and the possibility of healing by examining the positive and
negative impacts of sexual compulsion (i.e. it is socially unacceptable but also playful and
exciting). By honoring both parts to decompartmentalize sex and intimacy, one is able to obtain
long-term recovery by integrating sex, love, and intimacy to heal from what Susskind notes as the
root of the problem: brokenheartedness.
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Recommended Books for Sex Addicts and Partners
Reviewed by Scott Brassart
It’s Not About the Sex: Moving from Isolation to Intimacy After Sexual Addiction, by Andrew
Susskind
Andrew Susskind is a Los Angeles based clinician specializing in somatic experiencing, brainspotting, group therapy, and sexual issues. It’s Not About the Sex recognizes a basic fact of addiction: that we don’t engage in addictive behaviors to feel good, we do it to feel less – to escape feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and the like. Andrew shares his own and others’ experience with sexual addiction as he discusses the pathway to long-term healing.
Amazon Reviews
Reviewed by Leslie Quinn, LMFT
It’s the first and only book I’ve seen that addresses what one does next when the acting out has
stopped — with a focus on creating a life of meaningful, intimate relationships.
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Reviewed by Eddie Capparucci, LPC, C-CSAS, CPCS
Using insightful case studies, Andrew explains how long-term recovery involves the restoration of
the nervous system. He does an excellent job taking complex science regarding the neurological
system and presenting it in an easy-to-understand format.
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Reviewed by Edward H.
There are many books that provide tools and strategies to obtain sobriety, but Susskind dives into
the underlying issues that must be addressed and healed to sustain long-term recovery.
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Reviewed by Steven Karbelnig, LMFT
While this book focuses on recovery from sexual compulsion, it has universal appeal. It’s about
improving the quality of your life, whether healing from an addiction or not.
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Reviewed by Andrew F.
Whether it be sex, drugs, food, etc this book provides a deeper understanding of this stigmatized
label. Thank you Andrew, for helping to destigmatize addiction and bring light and hope!
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Editorial Reviews
As daunting as recovery can seem, this book helps readers gain a sense of calm by recognizing key
issues that will move them forward in their lives.
― Claudia Black, PhD, Author of Deceived and Intimate
Treason.
Going beyond current tension around out-of-control sexual behaviors, such as whether we should link
sexual compulsivity to a pathologizing, disease-oriented model, Susskind addresses the need for
humans to learn how to connect, love, and thrive in intimate relationships.
― Patti Britton, PhD, MPH, Author of The Art of Sex
Coaching.
Susskind provides a roadmap for living life to its fullest while healing from this debilitating
addiction.
― Robert Weiss, PhD, Author of Sex Addiction
101.
