Many people have heard of sex addiction, but very few people truly understand the concept. The science is still out on why some people develop sex addictions and other people don’t. There are several theories on why sex addiction develops in some people. We’ll look at two of the most popular theories in this article.
The first theory focuses on biochemical reactions in the brain. This theory focuses on physical causes of sex addiction as an explanation for the behavior.
The second theory this article looks at focuses on personal history. There are some studies that say past experiences and personal history have a greater influence on the odds that someone becomes addicted to sex than the biochemical explanation.
As was previously stated, scientists and researchers are still out on the actual cause of sex addiction. However, understanding these two general theories will go a long way in helping you understand what sex addiction is and how it works. Use this information to help yourself or someone you love get the help they need so they can live the life they deserve.
Understanding Reward Pathways in the Brain
The first theory on how people become addicted to sex focuses on biochemical causes. There are several things that buffer this position. One of the most important is the observation that antidepressants and other medications have proven effective in helping people manager symptoms of sex addiction.
The fact that medication can help people with sex addiction gives credit to the idea that sex addiction is the result of brain chemistry rather than personal history. That’s because medication doesn’t alter personal history, but it does alter brain chemistry.
To understand the biochemical explanation of sex addiction, you need to know something of how the brain works. One of the most important systems in the brain is the reward center. This is the part of your brain the lights up when you do something that contributes to your survival or reproduction. It responds to things like eating food or having sex by releasing chemicals. These chemicals feel good and cause us to seek out the same behavior.
Rewards pathways are an evolutionary adaptation that make it more likely someone’s genes will be passed to the next generation. As a result, they are very powerful. People with sex addiction report feeling a stronger feeling of euphoria after sex than other people do.
One of the key defining aspects of sexual addiction is using sex as a way to achieve pleasure rather than intimacy. This provides evidence that sex addiction is a biochemical interaction rather than the result of personal history.
This aspect of sex addiction is also one of the things that makes it so potentially destructive. Sex for pleasure instead of for intimacy can result in harmful or dangerous relationships. It can also lead people to act in ways that damage otherwise healthy relationships. Finally, this type of thinking can cause risky behavior, like engaging in unprotected sex or anonymous sex with multiple partners. These actions increase the risk of a sexually transmitted infection, which can cause serious health problems or even lead to death.
Personal History and Other Factors that Affect Sex Addiction
Other researchers look at personal history as the biggest factor in sex addiction. Research and studies have found a number of similarities when it comes to people that suffer from sex addiction. For example, 82% of sex addicts report being sexually abused as a child.
Another common element when sex addicts are surveyed has to do with parental relationships. Many addicts describe cold, distant, or uncaring relationships with their parents. Researchers hypothesize that, as a result, sex addicts use sex as a way to get the attention and affection they were denied as children.
These aren’t the only commonalities that sex addicts have. Other research found that 80% of sex addicts report an addiction in the family. This is an interesting observation, as it could be used to support a genetic or biochemical theory of sex addiction as well as the idea that sex addiction is a learned behavior.
Understanding Sexual Addiction
Now that you know the two theories that people have for the causes of sex addiction, you can use that information to make informed decisions. If you or someone you care about may be dealing with sex addiction, you can ask why they are seeking out sex. Look for warning signs like seeking sex for pleasure instead of intimacy. Also be aware of things in your or someone else’s history that may be signs of risk for addiction. That can include a family history of addiction as well as things like child abuse. Understanding the causes of an addiction make the addiction itself easier to treat.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing sexual addiction, the best thing to do is talked to a trained mental health professional. They can help you understand your situation, condition, and options. Don’t let sex addiction take over your life. Lead the life you deserve with treatment and support.
Sex Addiction FAQ
General Questions about Sex Addiction
This section covers general questions about sex addiction. Check here to get a good foundation for more complicated questions later on.
What is sex addiction?
Sex addiction is a dangerous condition similar to drug or alcohol dependency. However, instead of a compulsive need to consume drugs or alcohol, a person has a compulsive need to have sex. This need can exist within a relationship or outside of one. It can have dangerous consequences, like the transmissions of diseases and the destruction of relationships.
What causes sex addiction?
Scientists aren’t completely sure what causes sex addiction. There are multiple theories that are currently circulating among academics. Some point to the way the reward pathways work in the brain. Others point to instances of child abuse or childhood experiences. It is possible that both of these conclusions are accurate. However, we’re continually getting more information as the issue is further studied.
How common is sex addiction?
There haven’t been as many studies studying sex addiction as you might think. The best estimates predict that between three out of every 100 individuals and 16 out of every 100 adults have some form of sex addiction. Reviews suggest that the most accurate suggestions are in the 3% to 6% range. Men are twice as likely to develop a sex addiction as women.
How to deal with sex addiction?
There are several possible treatments for sexual addiction. The most common treatment is therapy. Sex addiction therapy can take many different forms, and individuals should work with their doctor or mental health professional to determine which format is best for them. There are also individual programs, accountability programs. Some doctors recommend medications, but there’s currently no pill designed to treat sex addiction.
How do you know if you have a sex addiction?
The best way to know if you have a sex addiction is to talk to your doctor about your concerns. Some symptoms include intense feelings of loneliness, isolation, alienation, depression or humiliation. You might also become easily involved with people in a physical and/or emotional sense. Many sex addicts find themselves in unfulfilling relationships and are more likely to stay in those relationships for access to sex.
How does sex addiction start?
It’s unclear how sex addiction starts. The process seems to be different for every person. Some people develop sex addiction after suffering abuse as a child. Others develop sex addiction alongside drug and alcohol addictions. Still others develop sex addiction in the context of abusive or negligent relationships. If you’re concerned you might have a sex addiction then you should talk to your doctor.
Why is sex addiction not in the DSM 5?
There are multiple complex reasons why sex addiction isn’t specifically covered in the DSM 5. One of the most important reasons is that the symptoms of sex addiction are described in another section. This section deals with abnormal and risky sexual behaviors. As a result, the behavior is covered in the DSM, even if the specific phrase sex addiction isn’t included.
What is difference between sex addiction and nymphomaniac?
This is a tricky question to answer because nymphomania technically doesn’t exist. The term is outdated and usually used to describe females with a high sex drive. Sex addiction can happen to anyone and focuses on whether or not a person’s actions indicate a compulsive need to have sex. Therefore, there is an important difference on multiple levels when it comes to distinguishing between sex addiction and nymphomania.
What is a sexual addiction outside of marriage?
A sexual addiction outside of marriage is no different from a sexual addiction inside a marriage. Sexual addiction is characterized by the compulsive desire to have sex. This compulsive desire gets in the way of living your daily life and negatively influences your actions, relationships, and thought processes.
What is a list of healthy activities I can do instead of my sex addiction when I am bored?
There are lots of things you can do instead of having sex when you’re bored and have a sex addiction. Some of the most common suggestions include:
- Engage in an exercise program
- Take a walk or go for a run
- Prepare dinner or do meal planning for the rest of the week
- Read a book or a magazine
- Do chores or clean up around the house
- Talk to your accountability partner about what you’re feeling
Does the WHO recognize sex addiction?
Yes, the World Health Organization recognizes sex addiction. The WHO added sex addiction to its list of diseases in 2018. However, there was controversy over whether it should be included as its own disease or whether it was already covered by descriptions of abnormal sexual behavior in existing guides.
What is the difference between hypersexuality & sex addiction?
The primary difference between hypersexuality and sex addiction has to do with actions and circumstances. Hypersexuality means a person has a high sex drive, but that person may not feel a compulsive need to have sex. Moreover, a hypersexual person will be better able to control their actions and won’t engage in sex that would be destructive or risky.
What are the statistics of sex addiction?
Statistics for sex addiction are surprisingly hard to come by. There have been a few studies regarding the percentages of a population that have sex addiction. These studies generally find that between 3% and 16% of the population suffers from sex addiction. Most estimates limit the range to between 3% and 6%. However, more study is needed on this vital question.
What is the definition of sex addiction in this DSM?
There is no definition of sex addiction in the DSM. Instead, sex addiction is covered under the section that looks at abnormal and dangerous sexual behaviors. Therefore, the symptoms of sex addiction are covered by the DSM, even though there’s no DSM definition of sex addiction.
How prevalent is sex addiction?
It’s hard to say how prevalent sex addiction is in society because there have only been a few statistical studies that have sought to answer that question. Most studies find that between 3% and 6% of the population have some kind of sexual addiction. However, there are studies that place this number as high as 16%.
What mental illness is sex addiction?
Sex addiction actually isn’t listed in the DSM 5. That means it isn’t a mental illness of its own. However, it’s considered to be a form of sexual abnormality. That means it is covered in multiple other sections of the DSM 5, and should be treated as a legitimate mental illness.
What is the percentage of male to female with sex addiction?
It’s hard to give an accurate percentage of male to female sexual addiction occurrence. However, studies have found that men are roughly twice as likely as women to have some kind of sex addiction disorder. More studies and information are needed on this topic.
Sex Addiction in Marriage
We’ll cover common questions about sex addiction and marriage in this section.
Sexual addiction how to help a spouse?
Everyone is different, but there are some steps you can take to help a spouse with sexual addiction. One of the best ways to help is to encourage your spouse to get professional help from a doctor or a therapist. You can support them in whatever treatment methods these professionals recommend.
How to deal with husbands sexual addiction?
It can be difficult to deal with a spouse’s sexual addiction. You should talk to a therapist or counselor about your specific situation to get the best possible advice. However, most people agree that the best way to help someone get over a sex addiction is through compassion and support. This will give them the help they need to overcome their addiction.
How does sex addiction affects a marriage?
Sex addiction can have disastrous effects on a marriage. Infidelity is one of the most common outcomes of sex addiction in marriage. That can destroy trust in the union and make it difficult to overcome the sex addiction issue as well as other issues. Sex addiction in a marriage can also cause strife because of mismatched sex drives. This can make someone feel isolated, alienated, unloved, or lonely.
How to deal with husband sex addiction and infidelity?
How you deal with a husband’s sex addiction and infidelity is a personal choice that you should make in consultation with a trusted professional, such as a therapist, doctor, or religious leader. It is possible for someone to overcome their sex addiction. However, as with any addiction, it requires support and compassion, which can be draining.
Wife throws me out for sex addiction, when can I go home?
You’ll need to talk to your wife about when you can go home. Many people don’t understand that sex addiction is a disease. As a result, they understandably feel betrayed when they find out their partner has been cheating on them to have sex with someone else. It may be some time before you can go home, but talking to your wife is the only way you can get a handle on the situation.
When husband claims wife has problem with sex but it is husband with the addiction, what to do?
Situations like this are best dealt with by going to couples counseling. The therapist may recommend group sessions, couples sessions, or individual sessions to help you get over your particular issue. The most important thing to remember is that blame and anger will prevent the support and compassion needed for healing.
Sex Addiction in Relationships
This section covers popular questions about sex addiction and relationships.
How to deal with sex addiction in a relationship?
There are a few options when it comes to dealing with sex addiction in a relationship. The important thing to remember is that every situation is different and each person has different needs. You should assess the situation and your needs to determine what outcome is best for you. Once you’ve determined what outcome is best, you need to stake steps to achieve that outcome.
What is codependency in sex addiction?
Codependency is sex addiction means that both partners suffer from sex addiction. The relationship gets used as a way to facilitate these addictions. This happens to the point that the relationship is almost entirely centered on sex, and other elements of the relationship start lacking. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and abandonment.
How often does coupleship survive sex addiction?
There aren’t many studies that analyze how often coupleship survives sexual addiction. There are also many variables to consider. Most studies that analyze this question look at codependent sex addicts in relationships. These relationships tend to work out, but many others fail. It depends on the specific individuals and dynamics at play.
How to talk to my gf about her sexual addiction?
The best way to talk to someone about their sex addiction is with honest, openness, and compassion. You should make sure you don’t take a judgmental tone. Many people find that it’s helpful to have this conversation in the context of a therapist or couples counseling appointment.
How to live with someone who has a sex addiction?
It can be a challenge to live with someone who has a sex addiction. You may or may not be able to successful share a space. What’s important is encouraging the person with the addiction to get the help they need. This process can create resentment, so it’s important that you understand all possible outcomes and options when you’re going to broach this subject.
Sex addiction cycle and what to do as a co-addict?
Co-addicts can help break the sexual addiction cycle by acting as an accountability partner. You can also rely on your other support network infrastructure and talk to a therapist about steps you can take in your specific situation.
What to do about gaslighting sex addiction?
Therapy, either individual or for couples, is the best solution to gaslighting about sex addiction. This will help your relationship open up and allow you to explore and realize your priorities. It also allows you to address why someone would gaslight and attempt to restore trust in the relationship.
Sex Addiction Treatment
We’ll answer common questions about sex addiction treatments in this section.
How to overcome sex addiction?
There are several strategies for overcoming sex addiction. Individual, couples, or group therapy are very popular options. Many religious institutions also offer free services to help people gain control over their addiction and behavior. Finally, some doctors may recommend medication or other steps to help overcome addiction.
How to manage sex addiction?
One of the most popular ways to manage sex addiction is through an accountability partner. This should be a person you trust and feel comfortable with. You can contact them whenever you’re having dangerous urges or desires. This will help you manage your sex addiction and make more responsible choices.
How to stop sex addiction?
The most common treatment for sex addiction is therapy. Therapy can occur as an individual event, couples therapy, or group therapy. The therapy should focus on understanding what causes sex addiction and providing methods to stop the dangerous actions that sex addiction makes you undertake.
How to treat sex addiction at home?
There are a few options for treating sex addiction at home. One common method is meditation. People use meditation to clear their mind of harmful or dangerous thoughts and desires. Another common method is an accountability partner. This is someone you call when you’re considering engaging in dangerous behavior.
How to control sex addiction?
Therapy is the best way to control sex addiction. A proper therapeutic environment will help you understanding what causes your urges to take place and what makes them so intense. It will also provide mental exercises and strategies to help you recognize when your thoughts are harmful and take steps to correct them.
How to recover from sex addiction?
There are multiple options when it comes to recovering from sex addiction. Some people find relief from sex addiction groups, like SA. Others benefit most from private, couples, or group therapy sessions. You should talk to a doctor or mental health professional about your situation to determine the best solution to your problem.
Where to get help for sex addiction?
You can get help from the national hotline for addiction run by SAMHSA. You can dial 1-800-662-HELP to be connected to a treatment referral routing service. The service operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It is confidential and completely free. They will direct you to specialists in your area that can provide the help you’re looking for.
What is cold turkey sa success rate for sexual addiction?
Anonymous organizations, such as Sexaholics Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous don’t publish numbers regarding their success rate. The anonymous nature of the program means it is impossible to track and study how many people are successful and how many people aren’t.
What works for sex addiction?
The most successful treatment for sex addiction is therapy. Therapy can take several forms, so you can find the format that works best for your needs. There are group therapy sessions run by organizations like SA. There are also couples and individual therapy options to help you with your sex addiction problems.
How to replace online sex addiction with exercise?
Therapy can help you control the mental urges to engage in your online sex addiction and replace thoughts about online sex with exercise. Many people find cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to be incredibly beneficial in this regard.
What are withdrawal symptoms of sexual addiction?
Withdrawal symptoms from sex addiction can be similar to withdrawal symptoms from other addictions. Individuals can expect to feel anxious, irritable, uncomfortable, and experience other problems. There may also be feelings of loneliness, alienation, abandonment, and depression. That’s why dealing with your sex addiction is best done with the help of a doctor.
How long does it take to get over sex addiction?
Each person experiences recovery differently. Many people will take between 1-3 years to feel fully recovered. Recovery tends to happen faster the earlier a person enters treatment. The earlier treatment starts, the easier it is to recover from sex addiction.
How Catholics can overcome sex addiction?
Catholics have access to the same resources as everyone else. Therapy, whether individual, couples, or group, can be helpful. Many Catholic churches offer free couples therapy and counseling. You can also talk to your priest about any resources the church may have available to help.
When someone has a sexual addiction and porn issue, does it ever go away?
Many people with sex and porn addictions recover to lead full, complete, and helpful lives. That doesn’t mean the process will be easy. People can relapse with sex addiction just like any other addiction. However, it’s possible to live a life free of the weight of sex or porn addiction.
What questions do I ask myself if I think I may have drug or sexual addiction?
The best way to determine if you have a drug or sexual addiction is to talk to a licensed mental health professional. They have the training and resources needed to help you understand your situation and what kinds of treatment options might be available. There are lots of online questionnaires you can fill out to get a better idea of your situation.
How to go cold turkey on sex addiction?
Many people find it hard to go cold turkey on sex addiction. You need to avoid sex and all forms of sexual stimulation, like pornography and masturbation. A therapist or licensed mental help professional can help you get the assistance you need in overcoming your addiction.
How to deal with sex addiction when there is no money for therapy?
There are free programs and advice lists online for people that want to beat their sex addiction but don’t have the money for therapy. You can also look for free resources from groups like SA and religious institutions.
Sex Addiction And Medication
We’ll look at questions about medication and sex addiction in this section.
Which neurotransmitter that drugs stimulate have the potential to treat sexual addiction?
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that drugs stimulate which has the potential to treat sexual addiction. Dopamine is part of your brain’s reward system. When drugs increase dopamine your brain feels like it’s being rewarded. This helps you avoid your addictions.
What are the medications for treating sex addiction?
There’s no single pill or medication that is expressly made to help treat sex addiction. Some doctors and patients have found success with the drug naltrexone, which is commonly used to treat alcohol and drug addictions. Researchers are still out on the question of if it is an effective treatment for sex addiction, however.
What can be prescribed for sex addiction if SSRI causes disinhibition?
There are currently no medications that are on-label for sex addiction. You should talk to your doctor to see what your options are. They may prescribe naltrexone, which is commonly used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. Some studies have shown that it can also help with sex addiction.
Sex Addiction Therapy
Questions regarding therapy and sex addiction are answered in this section.
How to overcome shame after a sexual addiction?
The best way to overcome shame after a sexual addiction is through therapy. You should talk to a certified mental health professional about the best options for you in your area. Some areas have group therapy available through organizations like SA. Other individuals will benefit more from individual or couples therapy.
How to reduce sex addiction?
CBT and other therapy techniques are some of the best ways to reduce sex addiction. These methods give you the tools you need to recognize when you’re having destructive or harmful thoughts. They also provide the tools to shift your thoughts so that you can overcome your addiction.
Who to talk to about sex addiction?
You can talk to any certified mental health professional about your sex addiction. Therapists and counselors have the tools and resources needed to help you understand your situation and get you the help you need. You can also talk to your priest, pastor, or other religious official to help you understand your situation.
What is the group called for sex addiction?
There are a few groups for sex addiction. The most popular one is Sexaholics Anonymous. You can also check out SLAA, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous.
How to rewire brain from sex addiction?
The best way to rewire your brain from sex addiction is by using methods developed in therapy. Trained mental health professionals know the best methods to help you change the way your brain produces thoughts. They can give you the tools you need to move your thoughts away from sex addiction.
What is sex addiction therapy?
Sex addiction therapy can take several forms. People can join group therapy sessions with groups like SA. They can also seek couples therapy or individual therapy, depending on their resources and needs. Each of these options has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should carefully consider your options before deciding.
What to expect during sex addiction therapy?
Every person experiences therapy differently. You should expect to talk about what kind of things give you uncontrollable thoughts about sex. You’ll also talk about how your thoughts regarding sex influence your actions.
What do sex clinics do about porn addiction?
You should talk to the individual sex clinic about what their methods for helping porn addiction are. Usually, these methods are based in some kind of cognitive behavioral therapy or other recognized therapy technique. These methods will help you recognize, understand, and interrupt harmful thoughts.
What best therapy for sexual addiction?
Everyone has different needs, so it’s important to determine the best therapy for sex addiction for you personally. You can make this decision after talking to a certified mental health professional or therapist.
What therapist to see for partners sex addiction?
In this case a couples or relationship therapist is the best option. You can include your partner or go individually. The therapist will help you understand your situation and your options so you can make the choice that lets you lead your best life.
How to find a sex addiction group?
Sex addiction groups like SA post schedules of meetings online. Your best option is to search online to see what groups are in your area and what days and times they meet. You can also talk to a religious official or therapist to see what resources they can direct you to.
Who benefits from formal disclosure in sex addiction therapy?
The person suffering from sex addiction and their partner can both benefit from formal disclosure in sex addiction therapy. It makes it easier to make breakthroughs in therapy so you can lead the life you deserve.
How to find an accountability partner for sex addiction?
Different people have access to different resources. You can ask a trusted friend, spouse, religious official, or group member to be your accountability partner. You can also find registries of people willing to provide accountability online.
What is the average cost per hour for a certified sexual addiction therapist?
There’s no real way to answer this question, as it depends on so many different factors. Different insurance companies charge different amounts for therapy, and the rates for therapy change based on location, credentials of the therapist, and other factors.
How relaxation positively affects sex addiction?
Relaxation has been shown to help people control their thoughts and urges when it comes to sex addiction. As a result, it’s easier to stop bad thoughts from lingering while allowing you to recognize harmful thoughts and decide to not act on them.
Sex Addiction Symptoms
This section covers some of the most popular questions about sex addiction symptoms
How to diagnose sex addiction?
You should rely on a professional to diagnose sex addiction. A doctor or qualified mental health professional can help you understand your situation.
What is sex addiction symptoms?
The most common sex addiction symptoms are uncontrollable thoughts and actions regarding sex. This can include frequent masturbation. Sexual thoughts and actions displace normal activities and make it hard to life your life.
How does sex addiction effect the brain?
Sex addiction affects the brain’s reward pathways. These are a function of your brain where you feel good for doing things that help you survive. Sex addiction causes people to become dependent on that feeling of reward, causing them to engage in risky behavior.
What differentiates between a regular guy and a sexual addiction?
Sex addiction is characterized by the fact that sexual thoughts and actions interrupt or disrupt daily life. They make it hard to do the things that you’re trying to accomplish and hurt yourself and your relationships.
What is the psychology behind sex addiction?
There are lots of psychological theories behind sex addiction. Some psychologists focus on how events in childhood can cause sex addiction, while others look at other circumstances. There’s still a lot of study going on regarding the issue.
How does Limerence work with sexual addiction?
Limerence can be a manifestation of sexual addiction. If someone constantly experiences limerence with different people, then that can be a sign of a developing sex addiction issue.
What drives sex addiction?
The brain drives sex addiction. The brain gets addicted to the release of reward chemicals that happen when you have sex. This causes you to seek out sex more and more often at the expense of your other interests and obligations.
Have I been deceived into thinking that different is better when it came to sex addiction?
It’s possible. Society and sex are very complicated things. This is a question that’s important to go over with a therapist or a licensed mental health professional so you can understand your answer and the implications.
When you have sex addiction problem why you keep looking at any girl?
You keep looking at any girl because you have sex addiction. Thoughts of sex will dominate other thoughts in your mind. This can cause harmful or dangerous thoughts and actions to become increasingly common.
What chemicals are believed to cause sex addiction?
Doctors and scientists don’t really blame the chemicals themselves for causing sex addiction. However, dopamine and serotonin are the two most common chemicals the brain uses as a reward. That means the release of these chemicals can fuel an addiction.
What are some patterns of sexual addiction?
Patterns of sexual addiction include sexual thoughts dominating your train of thought. These thoughts become disruptive and prevent you from focusing on work or other activities you enjoy. The way these thoughts manifest are different for each person.
What is the similarities between sex addiction and isolation?
Many of the similarities between sex addiction and isolation are emotional. They both tend to cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and guilt. Talking to a mental health professional is the best way to resolve these feelings so you can lead your best life.
What is SDI assessment for sexual addiction?
The SDI assessment is also known as the Sexual Dependency Inventory. It is an assessment developed after studying a large group of sex addicts. The data was used to help doctors understand if someone is dealing with a sex addiction or another problem.
What things tell me that I am experiencing loneliness in my sex addiction?
This is a personal question that each individual with sex addiction needs to answer themselves. It’s important to identify when you’re feeling lonely because that can be a trigger to harmful thoughts and actions for many sex addicts.
How others have recognized their insanity in their sex addiction?
People recognize their insanity in their sex addiction by looking back at the thoughts and actions they took and recognizing them as flawed. This depends on each individual.
How to know when your on the verge of sex addiction?
You can know you’re on the verge of sex addiction when thinking about sex and engaging in sex take over your normal thought processes. These thoughts make it difficult to do your work or engage in hobbies. They also might cause you to take destructive actions.
Sex Addiction Consequences
We’ll answer questions about the consequences of sex addiction in this section.
What is the yearly cost of sex addiction on society?
As of right now there are no studies that look at the cost sex addiction has on society. However, sex addiction does disrupt lives, destroy relationships, and cause people to make harmful decisions. As a result, you can be sure that sex addiction has a negative impact on society as a whole.
How sex addiction hurts your partner?
Sex addiction hurts your partner in several ways. The most important for many people is that it undermines the trust that your partner has in your relationship. It causes them to worry that you’re going to cheat on them with someone else.
What are the consequences of sex addiction?
There are several consequences to sex addiction. The biggest issue many people face is an inability to maintain relationships. That’s because the actions of a sex addict can make it difficult for a partner to trust them.
How sex addiction affects desire for life?
Sex addiction can affect the desire for life in a negative way. That’s because so many thoughts are focused on the lack of sex and the need for sex. That can cause a person to feel lonely, isolated, alienated, and depressed.
What actions makes us feel guilty as a sex addiction?
Each person experiences guilt individually. There’s no universal answer to this question. However, many sex addicts feel guilty over destroyed relationships and hurt feelings that they have caused various partners.
What losses have I experienced in life of things I valued in my sex addiction?
This is a question that needs to be answered individually. Everyone experiences sex addiction differently and has different life events related to their addiction. Understanding the answer to this question can help you get over your addiction and enter recovery.
Why does sex addiction impact one’s family?
Sex addiction can hurt your family by undermining the trust in your relationship. That can cause strife between partners and hurt children. Studies have shown that children in volatile family relationships tend to have worse overall life outcomes.
What are some risks of sex addiction?
There are lots of risks of sex addiction. In addition to risking your relationship and mental health, sex addiction can lead to infectious diseases, including ones that can even jeopardize your life.
How separated from myself do I feel at times in my sex addiction?
This is a personal question that you need to answer as an individual. Many people feel separated from themselves during addictions. That’s why the addiction works. It takes control of your decision making and causes you to feel separated from yourself.
Helping Someone with Sex Addiction
This section answers common questions people have about how to help someone with sex addiction.
How to help someone with a sex addiction?
There are a few ways to help someone with a sex addiction. The most important thing is to be supportive and compassionate. You can offer to go to an SA meeting with them. You can also act as an accountability partner – someone they can call when they have harmful or dangerous thoughts.
How to support friend with sex addiction?
Offering to act as an accountability partner is the best way to support a friend with sex addiction. You’ll be someone they can rely on to help them work past harmful and dangerous thoughts so that they can continue their road in recovery.
What does a sex addict say when confronted with their addiction?
It depends on several factors. Some people will admit that they have a problem, other people will realize it for the first time. Still others will deny there is any issue and will backlash against the person talking to them. It’s important to remember the range of possible responses and act with compassion when you talk to someone about their sex addiction.
How to love someone with a sex addiction?
You can love someone with sex addiction by providing them with the help and support they need to recover. This can take several forms. It might be just being a person to talk to. You can also love someone with a sex addiction by becoming their accountability partner. That way they have someone to help them avoid harmful thoughts and actions.
Sex Addiction After Recovery
We’ll answer your questions about sex addiction and recovery in this section.
How to have a healthy sexual relationship after sex addiction?
Everyone’s addiction is different. The key to having a health sexual relationship after sex addiction is understanding what kinds of thoughts are harmful and what kinds of thoughts lead to harmful behaviors. Once you can recognize the difference between these thoughts you’ll be able to have a healthy sexual relationship.
What are the long term benefits of recovery from sex addiction?
Long term benefits of recovery from sex addiction include enhanced self-esteem, feelings of contentment and fulfillment, stable relationships, less anger, less depression, less anxiety, and a better overall value of life.
How to have a healthy sex life with sex addiction?
Your counselor, accountability partner, or therapist are the best people to talk to about how to have a healthy sex life with a sex addiction. They will help you draw the line between normal thoughts and harmful thoughts while providing you with the tools you need to maintain your recovery.
As a sex addict how am I becoming more aware of a higher power outside of myself and my addiction?
This is a personal question that only you can answer. Many people turn to religion when they are dealing with an addiction. Spiritual and religious forces have more significance when you are struggling with something that is beyond your control.
How to deal with relapses early in the sex addiction recovery process?
You should talk to your therapist, sponsor, and/or accountability partner about how to deal with sex addiction relapses during the recovery process. These trained professionals will help you process your thoughts and actions so you know what you need to do in order to avoid another relapse.
Other Sex Addiction Questions
This section covers questions that don’t fit into our other sections. Check here if you can’t find your questions elsewhere.
Why has sexual addiction become a popular topic in the media?
Sex addiction became a popular topic in the media after several celebrities claimed to have sex addiction to explain marital infidelities. Additionally, the recent focus on drug addiction has raised the profile of all additions.
How do you feel when you’re in a lust binge from sex addiction?
Many people in a lust binge from sex addiction feel lonely and isolated. They seek out sex as a way of feeling acceptance and fulfillment. However, the sex doesn’t make the bad feelings go away, causing you to lust after someone else.
Why most Americans have sex addiction?
Most Americans do not have sex addiction. Studies estimate that sex addiction affects between 3% and 16% of the American public. Most numbers estimate the rate to be between 3% and 6%.
What are jobs for people who have sex addiction?
People with sex addiction can work almost any job. Office work, remote work, manufacturing work, and manual labor are all options for people with sex addiction. The important thing is that you get treatment so that your sex addiction doesn’t affect your performance at whatever job you do have.
How to break the food addiction caused by sex addiction?
Many people with sex addiction transfer their thoughts to food as a way to not think about sex. Therapy, such as CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy can help you divert your thoughts from sex and food into something more productive.
Why is everyone going to Arizona for sexual addiction?
There’s no recorded trend of everyone going to Arizona for sex addiction. There may be a sex addiction clinic in Arizona that is popular in your area. However, there are sex addiction groups and specialists located all over the country.
