I’m worried my habit will get me sacked from work

DEAR DEIDRE: PEOPLE at work are starting to notice that I’m away from my desk for long periods of time. I’m worried I’ll get sacked.

The truth is, I’m masturbating in the toilets. I know I’ve got a sex addiction.

If I can’t have sex at least once a day, then I’m satisfying myself in the gents, looking at pornography on my phone.

I’m a man of 28 and my girlfriend is 25. She’s a nurse so she does shifts and doesn’t always want sex if she’s tired from a long day. It causes us lots of arguments.

I can’t stop masturbating. I’ve even done it under my desk when my colleagues were on a training course and I was the only one in my department.

I know it’s becoming an issue. Can you help?

DEIDRE SAYS: Yes, I hope so. You are right in saying you have an addiction, because you’ve recognised that your need for sex is interfering with your day-to-day life.

Sex addiction can occur as a result of early trauma and you could explore more about this through podcasts held by the Pivotal Recovery Programme.

The podcasts guide you through the 6 steps of recovery, along with an interactive digital workbook (pivotalrecovery.org/).

Having the support of your girlfriend would help you so do talk to her about it, so that she can encourage you to find the professional help you need.

I’m also sending you my support pack called How To Look After Your Relationship which will ensure that you manage your expectations.