See, it seems to me that your gambling stuff is just adding fuel to MY fire.

Yes you may be an ongoing addict... but you demonstrate an ability to "control" your behavior. Desire - behavior = overcomer.

However, this is not the case for sexual "needs".
I have yet to meet anyone with an active sexual desire who has NO outlet.
In my experience, either guys are married or they masturbate (heck even most married guys I know still masturbate!)

There are some guys who have a low sex drive... they just don't need it and they don't care. For them its a non-issue. They are sexually indifferent.
But for most of us we need an outlet. AND, unlike gambling, it doesn't seem to be something people overcome.... not for the great vast majority I believe.

I've never met a guy who says, "Oh yeah I get very horny, but hey, I just get over it".

I also need to add that I don't see "self-controlled" masturbation as an addiction either. If you are choosing, when, and how often and what to think about and its not interfering with your other responsibilities and relationships ... that's controlled.

I agree that BL actions can be overcome, whilst desire may ever persist and not get cured. But what about wanking??? I don't know that that can be avoided. I mean, it can... but it only (at least in my experience) exasperates the problem... and invariably leads to some other sexual expression (wet dreams or whatever).

Since its a tangential discussion, I'll leave the doctrine debate for another time :P

Blessings
Cat.