If you say the words “sex addiction,” you might get a laugh. The mere thought of someone who is “addicted” to sex is more likely to prompt nervous giggling than nodding compassion. Why? Well, the idea does seem pretty silly—on the surface. Addicted to sex? It sounds more like someone can’t keep their d**k in their pants. The reality of sexual addiction, though, isn’t so funny, not, at least, according to VH1’s new show, “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew.”

No, I’m not checking into sex rehab. I am waiting with bated breath for the premiere of VH1’s “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew.” Tracking the recovery processes of sort-of-stars addicted to crack, crystal, and booze wasn’t enough for VH1’s hardcore audience, so the shock-reality network is heading into raunchier terrain with a show that takes the same peeping Tom approach to those addicted to sex as they attempt to shake their compulsions. Boning! Who knew it could be so addictive? After the jump, the D-listers who can’t stop humping and have asked for help.

“There is never a personal-life connection between my characters and myself. I’m a professional and I can access what I need to access, so there’s no bleed-over. I didn’t need to believe in aliens to play Mulder. As for my personal life, everything is fantastic right now.”

—David Duchovny denies how his treatment for sex addiction at all helps him play a womanizer on “Californication” [The Daily Beast]

How convenient. According to Fox News, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is being encouraged by those closest to him that he needs to seek help for his “sex addiction.” The PM has been embroiled in molto controversy ever since he attended an 18-year-old’s birthday party, engaged in sexy phone calls with her, allegedly had sex with a call girl, and supposedly tried to fill parliament seats with actresses and showgirls. His wife has since filed for divorce because of these icky shenanigans. While Berlusconi certainly has an over-the-top sexual appetite, I’m a little sick of boys behaving badly using the “sex addict” excuse. There’s been some debate as to whether “sex addiction” is for real—I tend to think it definitely is, but I also don’t think it’s nearly as prevalent as the David Duchovnys of the world would have you believe. Some dudes can, but instead refuse to keep it in their pants. [Fox News]

At first, when we found out David Duchovny had checked himself into rehab for sex addiction, we were like, “Damn, that’s kind of hot.” But that was naive. After researching sexual addiction—earlier Susannah Breslin discussed how many think the affliction is a myth—we’re feeling some serious sympathy for his wife of eleven years, actress Tea Leoni. It seems that David’s not just acting sex-crazed on his Showtime series. But how can sex, a natural bodily function, become a disease making headlines? The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” Just like drugs and alcohol, some people feel they’re abusing sex and themselves to get a high. But as Breslin points out, even doctors can’t decide if sexual addiction is a real condition or merely a symptom of a larger problem that goes beyond sex. Either way, it’s reeking havoc and wrecking homes. So how can you tell if your man is a slave to his wee man?  Seven signs, after the jump…

All across the Internet, headlines are hollering: “David Duchovny: SEX ADDICT!” According to Duchovny’s camp, the actor checked himself into rehab for sex addiction this week. Some say the shocker is nothing more than a publicity stunt, designed to promote the September 28th premiere of the second season of Showtime’s “Californication,” in which he stars as a writer with a problem keeping his penis in his pants. But considering Duchovny is married to actress Téa Leoni and the father of two, it’s unlikely even a Hollywood actor looking for a ratings boost would go that far.

“What is the technical definition of a sex addict?”—Potential Nympho, via email

The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” Translated, that means that a sex addict is not like Samantha on Sex and the City. It’s way more serious than that.

Sex addicts tend to have the same compulsive personality that alcohol, drug, and gambling addicts have. But while booze, drugs, and card playing aren’t required for human survival, sex is. Sure, some people can choose to be celibate…but having a sex drive is a normal, healthy thing. Because of this, sexual addiction is one of the hardest addictions to treat.

A few signs sexual addicts might exhibit (in case you were curious), after the jump…

When Lindsay Lohan first confirmed she was dating Riley Giles, she told In Touch that she was “really happy.” Well, it’s possible that she meant she was really happy because she had found someone who would feed her sex addiction. That’s what Riley’s telling tabloids, saying Lindsay used sex as a substitute for drugs and made him “go at it for hours…She’d have worn out most guys,” but not you, Riley, you’re a stallion, and classy, too. How right your ex, Bree Tierney, was when she said earlier that you were just using Lindsay for publicity. Though you seemed to seemed to enjoy Lindsay’s butt, as well, waxing poetic on its loveliness: “Her backside is fantastic, perfect, all plump and round.” Whoops, there went our lunch. [Popcrunch]

Update: Now Riley is selling pics of Lindsay from when they were together to the tabloids. Classy! [MSNBC]