Are You Struggling With Sex Addiction?
As humans, our sexuality is an integral part of a healthy experience. Nevertheless, if sex grows to be all-consuming, or when we deny ourselves healthy sexual expression, sexuality can act as a barrier to our fulfillment in life.
The relatively recent exposure regarding the serial adultery of Tiger Woods and American TV personality Jesse James has brought to the headlines of our national consciousness one of the most unknown, compulsive human behaviors: sex addiction.
Dr. Patrick Carnes, one of the world's primary experts and a pioneer in the area of sexual addiction and recovery, defines sex addiction as any kind of sexually-related, uncontrollable behavior pattern that interferes with one's life and results in significant problems for family, friends, and in one's professional environment.
Sex addiction is a progressive intimacy disorder that has become compared to being addicted to cocaine on account of similar neurochemical experiences within the human brain and the all-consuming, destructive repercussions it produces on an addict's life.
Much like other addictions, sexually addictive behaviors are usually intensified with time as a way for the addict to create equivalent results, and the detrimental consequences of these behaviors — for the addict and the people close to them — increase proportionately.
At the same time, unlike drinking, drugs, gambling, or various other addictive behaviors, having sex is necessary for human survival. Despite the fact that some people are celibate, most healthy individuals have a relatively robust interest in sex. In point of fact, too little need for sex may signal a health or psychiatric problem.
Though it's been determined that approximately 5% of the populace are sex addicts, the statistic may be a lot higher thanks to the ease of access, affordability, and privacy the Net provides to sexual encounters and activities.
For lots of sex addicts, compulsive sexual behaviors don't move beyond pornography, masturbation, and using phone or Internet sex services. Yet, it's not uncommon for sex addicts to get involved with higher-risk and often illegal behaviors such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, and prostitution.
At the same time our society has experienced an extreme increase in the quantity of individuals engaging in unconventional or illicit sexual routines, such as the use of phone sex, online pornography, and escort services, more and more of the individuals involved in these activities, as well as their partners, are seeking professional support.
How do you know if you or someone you care about is suffering sex addiction?
While most indicators connected with sexual addiction usually aren't that different when compared with the symptoms connected with other sorts of addictive behaviors, certain indications are definitely more specific.
If you or your partner exhibits any of the behaviors below, you should think about recruiting the help of a sex addiction professional:
- Difficulty resisting sexual urges
- Avoidance of regular, daily activities on account of sexual obsessions
- Preoccupation with sex
- Routine involvement in online chat room discussions about sex
- Trouble getting in the "mood" for sex without using pornography
- Pledges to halt sexual habits and then disregarding those promises
- A record of repeated infidelities
- Sexual activity where there is a substantial risk of getting caught
- Sex in spite of a high chance of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease
- A secret sexual life
- Preoccupation with sex-related websites
- Excessive amounts of money spent on prostitutes and on-line sex
How to get help
Quite often, sex addicts are compelled to receive professional help by a court, or when the probability of divorce or some other loss becomes imminent. This isn't to say sex addicts aren't aware they need help — they do. As with addictive behaviors as a whole, sex addicts are likely to have assured themselves many times that they'll quit, but they cannot.
If you suspect you or your partner needs help, call a responsible friend, relative, clergy member, or other medical professional and ask them to help you get professional treatment.
You can also find addiction experts by calling local addiction treatment centers, by asking your physician for recommendations, or by browsing the Internet for sex addiction therapists and counselors in your area.
If you're battling sexual addiction, acknowledging you need help and seeking professional support isn't likely to be easy. Having said that, acknowledging you need assistance does not reduce all of the positive attributes of your character.
If you or someone close is encountering some of the symptoms associated with sex addiction, there is hope. It is possible to get rid of sexual compulsivity and sexually addictive behaviors. You can have a healthy love life and enjoy real intimacy with your partner.
Professional sex addiction counseling can help you out of the shadow of sex addiction and sexual compulsivity and move into recovery and a healthier, happier life.
