A CHURCH minister who was hooked on sex and pornography is helping other men and women overcome their addictions.
Ramsgate Community Church pastor Ron Brookman, 60, led a secret double life during the late 1970s and and early 80s, sneaking off to Newtown and Darlinghurst for gay liaisons, after his marriage broke down.
He became addicted to pornography, spending vast amounts of time and money constantly looking for more graphic images.
"I got to the point where I was lying all the time to those nearest to me to cover my tracks,'' he said.
"When that wasn't enough I would go off for anonymous encounters ... it was an adrenaline thing. I was always looking for the next thrill.''
Depression caused by the break up of his marriage led him further into a world dominated by pornography and casual sex.
By the late 1980s, Mr Brookman, then a church minister, was guilt ridden, not only because of his young family, but also because of his belief that homosexuality and sex addiction were not compatible with Christianity.
The opportunity to get help came in 1990 through a close friend.
"I knew I needed to change and I was able to ring him up whenever I got urges and talk things through,'' he said. "I was able to confide in him.
"It really helped.''
This led to group counselling sessions within the church which Mr Brookman said freed him of his sex addiction.
"It was a gradual process, definitely,'' Mr Brookman said. "I can say I am free of the pornography addiction now, but it has not been easy.''
The minister, who described homosexuality as "sexual brokenness'', said he also overcame his homosexual desires around this time. He remarried in 1994 and has since fathered three more children.
Mr Brookman now wants to help other men suffering sex addiction through a five-week group at Ramsgate RSL, while plans are underway for a similar group for women.
One man, who did not want to be named but had already attended a course run by Mr Brookman said: "Sex addiction is never really cured, but you can learn to bring it under control.''
Another said: "It can take over your life completely, to the point where you don't think about much else. But getting help is important.''
Cronulla-based counsellor and therapist Linda Harvey said sex addiction was becoming increasingly common.
"Part of the problem is that sexual images are so pervasive nowadays, especially with the internet,'' she said.
"If you have an addictive personality it can be very difficult to avoid.''
Sydney treatment centre, South Pacific Private, said the causes of sex or pornography addiction were wide-ranging but could include physical or emotional abuse during childhood or chemical imbalances in the brain.
It said the first step towards recovery was recognising the problem. "The problems it causes are the same as with any other addiction, you are totally focused on it and little else,'' a spokesman said.
Mr Brookman said addiction to pornography was increasing and affected the whole family.
"Sex and porn addiction really can be a massive problem ,'' he said. "The wife of a man addicted to porn may well feel she is not beautiful, not good enough. That can be very damaging.''
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