Television presents some major dilemmas for the sex addict. The current pop culture is a highly sexual one. The increase of sexually explicit scenes, jokes, innuendoes and the showing of naked bodies and extramarital activities on television and movie screens can trigger a sex addict into a myriad of sexual thoughts and behaviors. This doesn't even include commercials that are often erotic, sexual and objectifying of women. Even the talk shows usually concentrate on non-recovering sex addicts.

Television viewing is not a safe place for sex addicts especially during the early part of their recovery. Here are some boundaries that many sex addicts in my practice have chosen in order to maintain a successful recovery.

1. No television at all for the first 90 days of recovery.
2. Pre-selected television shows only.
3. No channel surfing.
4. Mute the commercials.
5. No talk shows.
6. No watching television alone.
7. No television in the bedroom.
8. Only watch television with family (or partner)in the family room.
9. No television past a certain time (10 P.M. or 11 P.M.).
10. No television in the middle of the night.
11. No cable television within the first 90 days of recovery.
12. No cable television at all.
13. No pay to view television.

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