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What is Sexual Addiction
Learn why it is possible to heal from your sexual addiction and live a healthy life.
People with sexual addiction use sex or pornography just as those addicted to drugs or alcohol use substances: to escape painful realities and as a way to regulate their moods whenever they feel stress or anxiety.
What is sexual and porn addiction?
The question about why some develop sex addictions and others do not is still open for debate. Some argue a biochemical abnormality in the brain can increase the risk of addiction. Yet, many agree, sex addiction is usually the result of a much deeper mental health issue.
Pathways within the brains' survival-reward system are shared by drug abuse, food, and sexual interests. This path leads to the area where compulsive type behaviors begin. For example, the brain tells a sex addict that illicit sex is good, the same way it tells others food is good. This pathway in the brain could help link the
why to the development of preoccupation with sex.
What Are Sexual Addiction Symptoms?
Sexual addiction is the compulsive need to perform sexual acts. Like all other addictions, it can have severe negative impacts on your mental and physical health. Furthermore, it negatively affects relationships in a variety of ways.
For some sex addicts, behaviors include extensive use of pornography and compulsive masturbation. Yet, for others, addiction can lead to sexual abuse and other illegal activity.
There are many signs and symptoms of sex addiction. The most common behaviors include:
- Recurrent, obsessive sexual thoughts and fantasies
- Isolating, lying, and becoming secretive around addictive behaviors. Often, addicts will go to great lengths to hide their activities.
If you are still unsure, a therapist can help you properly diagnose you.
What Causes A Sexual Addiction?
The question about why some develop sex addictions and others do not is still open for debate. Some argue a biochemical abnormality in the brain can increase the risk of addiction. Yet, many agree, sex addiction is usually the result of a much deeper mental health issue.
Pathways within the brains' survival-reward system are shared by drug abuse, food, and sexual interests. This path leads to the area where compulsive type behaviors begin. For example, the brain tells a sex addict that illicit sex is good, the same way it tells others food is good. This pathway in the brain could help link the
why to the development of preoccupation with sex.
The question about why some develop sex addictions and others do not is still open for debate. Some argue a biochemical abnormality in the brain can increase the risk of addiction. Yet, many agree, sex addiction is usually the result of a much deeper mental health issue.
Pathways within the brains' survival-reward system are shared by drug abuse, food, and sexual interests. This path leads to the area where compulsive type behaviors begin. For example, the brain tells a sex addict that illicit sex is good, the same way it tells others food is good. This pathway in the brain could help link the
why to the development of preoccupation with sex.
What Are The Treatments For Sex Addiction?
Since the diagnosis is controversial, evidence-based treatment options are lacking. However, experts have found success through the use of many of the following methods:
- Support recovery groups. Self-help groups offer support and structure to those with sexual addiction. Two examples include Sexaholics Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment option for those with sex addiction. Through this model, addicts learn how to recognize their triggers and behaviors. Then, through therapy sessions, acquire tools to control their triggers and actions. They'll also work through critical thinking errors that may have led to the addiction.
- Successful sexual addiction treatment can also include psychodynamic or psychotherapy models. This focus is more on the addict's internal, emotional developmental difficulties.
Who Can Have a Sexual Addiction?
Anyone can develop a sexual addiction. Addiction is more likely for those who begin viewing pornography early in life. Often, like with any addiction, there are deeper mental health issues to address in order to heal.
Behaviors of sexual addiction can vary. However, the addiction seems to ignite the following:
- Feeling powerless to addictive sexual behaviors. In other words, being unable to turn off urges to engage in the behavior. Ultimately, to resolve the urge, you must respond to it.
- Feeling as though life has become unmanageable without your addiction. This indicator may be difficult to recognize because many can't see how unmanageable life has become. Instead, some may even attribute positive intimate interactions to their addiction. Yet, if you need your addiction in order to have a positive experience, that area of life is likely unmanageable without your addiction.
- Feelings of shame, pain, and self-loathing towards addictive behaviors and actions. These feelings perpetuate as isolation, lying, and secrecy increase.
How Do People Prevent Sexual Addiction?
Addressing poor self-esteem can help prevent sexual addiction. Poor self-esteem leads to sexual addiction more often than extreme thrill-seeking type behaviors. Likewise, resolving other mental health issues can prevent further issues like sexual addiction.
The best prevention starts with childhood education. By teaching your children about the dangers of pornography, you're helping prevent addiction.
What If A Sexual Addiction is Left Untreated?
Untreated, compulsions or addictions can become a destructive force in your life. Sexual addiction can negatively impact and may lead to:
- poor quality relationships
- lower sexual satisfaction or unrealistic expectations
- social isolation
- inability to connect in relationships
- extreme behavioral outbursts
How Can People Benefit From Talking About Their Sexual Addiction
Part of the healing and recovery process involves "coming to terms" with sex addiction. Many are not comfortable talking about their addiction, as it often requires vulnerability. However, as you acknowledge your addiction, you're able to get help for it. Then, your therapist can help you overcome your addictive behaviors. As a result, you can prepare for a life in recovery.
Another benefit of talking about sexual addiction is it leads to authentic healing. As you begin to overcome issues, talking to someone who has been in your shoes can help in so many ways. Moreover, after your treatment, you can help others by talking about your addiction. Raw communication can lead to healing in many ways. Likewise, the more genuine you are about your issues, the more robust your recovery can be.
How A Person Overcomes Sexual Addiction?
Addiction recovery therapists begin treatment after a complete diagnosis process. Therapeutic plans are designed after a diagnosis of sexual addiction has been made.
The diagnosis process involves gathering medical and family history. Likewise, therapists work to gain an understanding of underlying mental health issues. A psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or certified counselor can make an official diagnosis.
The assessment helps therapists explore a person's mental health symptoms. As a result, they can discover issues like sexual obsessions or compulsions.
Most sexual addiction therapists provide their clients with an evaluation. For example, a therapist will use a quiz or self-test as a screening tool. Some sex addiction symptoms can occur with other mental illnesses. Such illnesses will become evident as you move through the assessment.
A therapists' goal is to distinguish sexual addictions from medical conditions. Likewise, they'll evaluate behaviors that may include hypersexual symptoms.
Sexual Addiction Statistics:
As over 40 million Americans view porn daily, it's no wonder we see the negative impact it has on so many.
About 55 percent of convicted sex offenders are considered to be sex addicts. However, not all sex addicts are sex offenders.
(psychcentral.com)
Nearly 71 percent of those who molest children are sex addicts. For those, their problems can be so severe that it seems prison may be the only way to protect society against them.
(psychcentral.com)
According to a study, 82 percent of people with sexual addictions report sexual abuse as a child.
(psychcentral.com)
Addicthq.org says almost 35 percent of all downloads are pornographic in nature. (addicthq.org)
Can People Overcome Sexual Addiction?
While there is not a cure for any addiction, there is recovery. Living a life in recovery can feel as empowering as a cure. Through therapy and hard work, you can gain control over your sexual addiction. As a result, many sex addicts are living life in recovery. You can obtain freedom from your sexual addiction.
How can we help you with porn and sexual addiction?
Your Journey Towards Recovery with Specialized Help
The journey toward recovery begins with sex addiction therapy. Available online or in-person, working with a professional helps to control urges, manage thoughts and feelings, and live a balanced life. When you understand your triggers, you can retrain your brain to think differently. It’s time to stop letting your addiction control you and your relationships.
When those suffering from addiction feel safe to discuss their compulsions, it’s easier to work toward an end goal of recovery. When clients are committed to working on themselves, we can restore self-worth, hope and connection through our proven research backed specialized methods of treatment.
For some clients, defining addiction is easy. Yet, believing they are addicted to something is a different story. Your partner may view your behavior as unmanageable, yet, you are certain you are in control. If this sounds familiar, counseling sessions can help. Therapists help couples work together to define and identify addiction.
The question I have been asking myself is how being vulnerable fits with addiction recovery. The answer that I have come to is that individuals struggling with addiction have the most to gain when they learn to be vulnerable in their relationships.
The Six Key Elements that Form a Sexually Based Addiction. This is a powerful article. An article that might be helpful for you or your loved ones.