What characterizes sex addiction disorder…?

Question by Top Soil™: What characterizes sex addiction disorder…?
There is a show on VH1 called Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew where celebrities who carry this diagnosis are treated very similar to a drug rehab program. They are not to engage in sex or self-gratification whilst in this rehab center.

What are the criteria to be diagnosed with sex addiction disorder? Why are these patients essentially encouraged to have a celibate lifestyle when sex/masturbation are natural and otherwise healthy human activities? It seems awfully unethical to prohibit people from engaging in normal activities.

Please answer if you have expertise with this matter as a clinician rather than use this as fertile soil for comedy.

Thank you.
Superb answers, much obliged!

Where did the first answer go? I totally agree that these CNN, Larry King, Joy Behar, et al are annoying people, I have no tolerance for their nonsense either!

Best answer:

Answer by Trevor
if the sexual activity is compulsive and impacts their life negatively – there are lines that are crossed.

Abstaining from sex is not the goal of sex addiction therapy – but normalising it is.

Having twenty men and women who agree they are sex addicts in a residential center poses problems so an agreement not to act out sexually seems sensible.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!