Sexual Addiction

Sexual addiction is used to describe the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex.

Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include:

• Extra Marital affairs
• Consistent use of pornography
• Phone or computer sex (cybersex)
• Prostitution or use of Prostitutes
• Sexual harassment
• Molestation/rape
• Compulsive masturbation
• Voyeurism (watching others)
• Fantasize or think about sex

Sex addicts live in denial of their addiction most of the time. They only admit or accept that he/ she has a problem when there is a significant loss, e.g.  loss of job,  the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis.

The way to determine if the person has sexual addiction problems is if their sexual behavior is causing damage in certain areas of their life, including relationships, career, and emotions, physical and spiritual well-being.

The two main signs of an addiction are loss of control and negative consequences due to the behavior. Working to clear up sexual problems areas will provide great benefits. People usually will be able to stop or greatly curtail the problematic sexual behavior often ending up experiencing more intimacy and sexual satisfaction with their partner and become more successful in their career.

Sex addiction is very real, and it is comparable to drug, alcohol, gambling or tobacco addiction.

Treatment for sex addiction includes:

• Individual counseling
• Marital therapy
• Support groups
• Recovery programs
• Medications