Plot

A romantic comedy that brings together three disparate characters who are learning to face a challenging and often confusing world as they struggle together against a common demon: sex addiction.

Adam (Mark Ruffalo) has just reached the 5-year mark in his sex addiction sobriety with help from his sponsor Mike (Tim Robbins). New-comer Neil (Josh Gad) seeks out Adam's help hoping that he'll be his mentor, but Neil doesn't have the same maturity and continues to harass women at work, on the street, and on the subway. Adam has also just met Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow), who might be perfect for him, but Adam hasn't been in a relationship since he recognized his addiction to sex, and Phoebe doesn't date addicts. As Adam navigates the romantic relationship waters, Mike struggles connecting to his former drug-addicted son who has just returned home, and Neil develops a relationship with another woman in his sex addicts group, but a platonic friendship might be exactly what he needs.—napierslogs

Set in New York City, Thanks for Sharing centers around three people undergoing a 12-step process to recover from their sexual addiction.

Adam (Mark Ruffalo) walks along the streets of New York, tempted by various advertisements and women on his way to work. Adam works for a company that helps make other corporations adopt environmentally friendly business practices. They recently landed a large account with the US Postal Service. Neil (Josh Gad) purposely grinds against a stranger in the train he's taking to attend a sex addiction meeting. Neil is very obvious about it as the train is half empty and gets punched in the face by the woman. Neil is a doctor by profession.

Mike (Tim Robbins) is a married man and a recovering sex addict who is the leader of the addiction group. He sponsors Adam, who is also a recovering sex addict who hasn't had sex in five years, Adam sponsors Neil. They are all at the sex addiction meeting, talking about their progress.

Neil makes jokes and later admits he is only there because the court has forced him to be there (for non-consensual touching of people). He goes back to masturbating the same night and lies about his achievement of not masturbating for a month to the addiction group.

At work, Neil makes inappropriate jokes and gets in trouble. Adam asks Neil to do journal writing work, but Neil watches porn instead. After finding out, Adam threatens to stop sponsoring Neil if he will not do the work.

Adam meets Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow) at a 'bug party' (a party where Adam promotes the consumption of edible bugs as a rich source of protein and an easy way to be environmentally friendly) and they go out on a date. She reveals straight away that she had breast cancer, and later says she would never date an addict again after her last boyfriend who was an alcoholic, causing Adam to not admit to his sex addiction. They begin a relationship.

Dede (Alecia Moore/Pink) joins the sex addiction meetings. She is a 30-year-old single woman and she is the only woman in the group and admits to being a sex addict from a very young age. Neil starts out as a doctor who is addicted to masturbating but is caught secretly filming under the skirt of his boss, and is fired, and loses the job he has dreamed of since childhood. After being fired, he admits to the group that he is out of control and intends to take his meetings seriously. Adam agrees to sponsor him again but demands that he is not allowed to take the subway and must attend ninety meetings in ninety days.

Meanwhile, Mike's son Danny (Patrick Fugit), a recovering drug addict, has returned home and is attempting to make amends to Mike and his mother Katie (Joely Richardson). Danny says that he has been clean and sober for the past eight months.

Phoebe eventually finds out about Adam's sex addiction when finding an addiction token in his pocket the morning after sleeping with him. She takes some time away from him, but eventually agrees to continue their relationship.

Meanwhile, Dede, a member of the meetings, calls Neil. She wants to have sex with her abusive ex but cannot get a hold of her sponsor. Neil talks her out of having sex with her ex and runs to her location to give her support. She lends Neil her bike, and he embraces the biking lifestyle. Later, the two go dancing. They almost kiss, but do not.

At the same time, while Mike has been getting on better and better with his son Danny who is now living with his parents again building a pond in the back yard, they get into a fight when Mike assumes Danny stole his mother's pills. Danny reveals that Mike gave Katie chlamydia and was also abusive to him at a young age (which may be why Danny is a drug addict). Mike slaps Danny, Danny attacks Mike and knocks over Katie, then realizing what he has done, panics and runs out of the house.

Meanwhile, Phoebe, who has told Adam she is a 'very sexual person' has become frustrated and concerned being in a relationship with Adam. Phoebe and Adam are having dinner when they are approached by Becky, one of his casual flings. Phoebe later catches Adam on the phone. He says that it is someone he sponsors. Phoebe does not believe him and asks to see his phone. At first Adam refuses, but then relents. He was telling the truth. Adam brings up Phoebe's trust issues, and the two argue, with her leaving.

The next day, Adam goes on a work trip to DC. There, he tries to get hold of Mike for support, afraid that he will fall off the wagon. Since Mike is busy, Adam goes on a bender. He buys a laptop, masturbates to porn and hires a prostitute.

Dede comes over to Neil's place and helps him clean up his house and burns his porn. She admits she's never been 'just friends' with a guy before.

Mike finds his wife Katie's pills, and realizes Danny never stole them after all. Katie kicks him out, and then calls him to tell him Danny is hospital after a DUI. Mike hugs his son in hospital, who turns out to have been sober for the past 8 months.

Adam invites his ex-girlfriend Becky (Emily Meade) over, and as they start out by re-enacting her daddy issues. During it, Becky starts slapping Adam, daring him to slap her back. When he says that he is not into that, she freaks out and starts screaming and crying, then locks herself in the bathroom. Adam calls Neil, who breaks down the bathroom door, discovers that Becky took several pills and takes care of her.

Adam goes back to being sober, starts again, and goes back to Phoebe, who admits she too is not perfect. Neil confronts his over-sexual mother (Carol Kane), and all the addicts celebrate being and staying sober.