Semi-recovered sex addict believes there’s no such thing as a true cure

Sagittarius is a sex addict. His therapist told him that naming his addiction would be a good way to compartmentalize it. So he chose “Sagittarius,” a name he stole from the bow-wielding centaur of astrology known (in part) for emotional recklessness and who is represented by the planet Jupiter.

Sagittarius first contact Here Be Monsters in 2016, after we produced an episode called The Predators of McNeil Island. That episode told the story of Chris, a man once deemed by the state of Washington to be a Sexually Violent Predator. Chris told the courts that he’d changed, no longer felt desire to be devious. Sagittarius identified with Chris, and saw himself as a version of Chris that had never been committed or sent to court. But Sagittarius also said that personally, he’d never say “never” again. He’d been wrong too many times.

Despite receiving some treatment, and despite a cage that’s built for him, Sagittarius does not feel cured of his addiction. He is actively hoarding cash, $45 he keeps in his backpack. Another $100 and Sagittarius could break free from his cage, and pay someone to have sex with him.

In this episode, Sagittarius takes Here Be Monsters on a walking tour of his New York City “hotspots” he used to frequent, and then takes Jeff on a late night bike ride to Battery Park, where his father once took him to see the Statue of Liberty.

Please Note: This episode contains frank discussions of sexual addiction and desire. All names in this episode are pseudonyms.

Bethany Denton and Jeff Emtman produced this episode.

Music: The Black Spot | | | Phantom Fauna