We've all seen those tests that are supposed to determine if you're an alcoholic. I can check several of the boxes on those tests, so I guess I'm an alcoholic - a functional alcoholic, but an alcoholic none the less.  

But does the same criteria apply to sex?  Below is a test for alcoholism I've modified.  According to the rules, if you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may well be a sex addict.

1. Have you ever decided to stop having sex for a week or so, but only lasted a couple of days?

2. Do you wish people would mind their own business about your craving sex and stop telling you what to do?

3. Have you ever switched from one sex partner to another (or one hand to the other) in the hope that this would keep you from getting bored?

4. Have you had to have an eye-opener (wake-up sex) during the past year?

5. Do you envy people who can have sex without getting into trouble?

6. Have you had problems at work connected with sex during the past year?

7. Has your desire for sex caused trouble at home?

8. Do you ever try to get "extra" sex at a party because you didn't get enough?

9. Do you tell yourself you can stop having sex any time you want to, even though you keep having sex even when you don't mean to?

10.Have you missed days of work or school because of sex?

11. Do you have "blackouts" during orgasm?  (Hah, I ask you!)

12.Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not have sex?

God, I'm an addict!!

sex addiction is not a laffing matter....it has ruined many peoples lives...i wont say that guys who seek out providers are sex addicts, but some are....and there are different levels of addiction, from the guy who rents vids to the guy who exposes himself, to the guy who sexually abuses all his female employees, to the guy who rapes or molests children....so please dont make jokes about this

I think you're absolutely right that it is/can be quite serious.
Just as alcoholism, drugs, gambling - it can destroy lives.
Often times, part of getting more comfortable about talking about something, being openly expressive, it begins with light, joking conversation - sort of an ice breaker. I think these two threads (the other started by Shaye, below) are to bring it out and discuss. I'm sure we'll be bringing it up again, as it DOES seem to be an important topic, and one to be addressed.

to the opening post, and I decided that there will always be someone who will take offense to anything. While I wouldn't joke about someone who really has a problem, this was meant as a toungue-in-cheek comment on the low threshhold of "abuse" by which alcoholics are measured, and comparing that threshold to similar behavior in this most-cherished hobby.

The point was that using the alcoholic yardstick, probably all of us who love TER and posting on and reading the boards are sex addicts.  Do I think that's true?  Hell no. On the other hand, there are undoubtedly some of us who are and should get some help if their addiction is causing them problems.  Again, I wouldn't make fun of anyone's mental problems.  But for those of us hobbiests and providers who just enjoy the hell out of sex, I thought the post might bring a chuckle.  

Lastly, I think political correctness has gone too far.  We have gotten to the point where we can't point out the humor in any topic without worrying about offending someone or some group. I'm not sure sex addicts are truly worthy of PC treatment (that should trigger some responses!), but if so, I will only say, lighten up!  There is humor in even the bleakest topics!  And sex is far from a bleak topic.