The author states that thinking that you have an addictive personality is unhelpful. Articulated that way, it could be true, but understanding that there is a predisposition towards addiction[1] is helpful to overcome it, and does not contradict the fact that one can recover from addiction.
From Overcoming Sex Addiction by Thaddeus Birchard [2]:
“A predisposition towards addiction, be it genetic or a legacy from the historic family dynamic, is important to understand. It reduces shame to know that you are vulnerable to sexual addiction not because you are morally deficient but because you are predisposed towards addiction either through genetic inheritance or though interfamilial patterns. The more that shame is reduced, the more that the drive to act out sexually is lessened.”
“Once you understand that this dysfunctional regulation was set up in childhood, there is a reduction in shame because you are not responsible for having the problem. However, you are responsible for what you do about it.”
From Overcoming Sex Addiction by Thaddeus Birchard [2]:
“A predisposition towards addiction, be it genetic or a legacy from the historic family dynamic, is important to understand. It reduces shame to know that you are vulnerable to sexual addiction not because you are morally deficient but because you are predisposed towards addiction either through genetic inheritance or though interfamilial patterns. The more that shame is reduced, the more that the drive to act out sexually is lessened.”
“Once you understand that this dysfunctional regulation was set up in childhood, there is a reduction in shame because you are not responsible for having the problem. However, you are responsible for what you do about it.”
[1] For example, because of childhood trauma. See https://youtube.com/watch?v=_-APGWvYupU and https://newyorkpathways.com/sexually-acting-out-as-response-...
[2] I'm halfway through this book and found it very helpful. I recommend it for anyone dealing with addiction.