As human beings, our sexuality is a fundamental piece of a healthy experience. Nevertheless, if sex becomes all-consuming, or when we deprive ourselves of healthy sexual expression, our sexuality can act as a barrier to our fulfillment in life.
The recent public exposure of Tiger Woods and American TV personality Jesse James as serial adulterers has brought to the headlines of our country’s awareness one of the more buried, compulsive human behaviors: sex addiction.
Dr. Patrick Carnes, one of the world’s leading experts and a pioneer in the field of sexual addiction and recovery, identifies sex addiction as any kind of sexually-related, uncontrollable practice that disrupts normal living and creates significant tension for friends, family, and in one’s place of work.
Sex addiction is a progressive intimacy disorder typified by compulsive sexual thoughts and behaviors and is often compared to cocaine addiction owing to corresponding neurochemical processes in the brain and the adverse, all-consuming effects it produces on the addict’s life.
Similar to other addictions, sexually addictive behaviors are usually intensified over time as a way for the addict to get similar results, and the detrimental consequences of such behaviors — for both the addict and the ones near them — grow proportionately.
On the other hand, in contrast to alcoholism, drugs, gambling, or other addictive behaviors, sex is needed for human survival. Although a small number of people are celibate, most well-balanced people have a relatively robust libido. In point of fact, too little need for sex could indicate a health problem or psychological illness.
Although many experts have determined that roughly five percent of the population are sex addicts, the number is thought to be a lot larger as a result of the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity the Web offers sexual encounters and experiences.
For lots of sex addicts, compulsive sex-related behaviors rarely move beyond pornography, masturbation, and using phone or Internet sex services. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for sex addicts to become involved with higher-risk and sometimes unlawful pursuits such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, and prostitution.
Although our society has witnessed an extreme increase in individuals engaging in unusual or illicit sexual behaviors, such as the use of online pornography, phone sex, and escort businesses, more and more of the individuals involved with these kinds of activities, as well as their partners, are requesting professional support.
How can you tell if you or someone you love is dealing with sex addiction?
Although a number of signs associated with sexual addiction generally are not that dissimilar when compared to the symptoms connected with other sorts of addictive behaviors, a few indicators tend to be more specific.
If you find you or your partner exhibits any of the behaviors below, consider seeking the help of a sex addiction counselor:
- Difficulty dealing with sexual desires
- Avoidance of normal, daily activities as a result of sexual obsessions
- Preoccupation with sex
- Recurring engagement in Internet chat room discussions regarding sex
- Difficulty getting in the “mood” for sex without using pornography
- Promises to curtail sexual behavior only to disregard those promises
- A history of habitual affairs
- Sexual activity where there exists a substantial chance of getting caught
- Sexual activity despite a good risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease
- A secret sexual life
- A preoccupation with sex-related websites
- Excessive amounts of money spent on prostitutes and on-line sex
Getting help
Quite often, sex addicts are forced to secure professional assistance by a judge, or after the probability of divorce or some other loss becomes immediate. This isn’t to say sex addicts aren’t aware that they need help — they generally do. As with addictive behaviors overall, sex addicts will likely have declared to themselves repeatedly that they will quit, only to find they cannot.
If you suspect that you or your partner is in need of help, contact a dependable friend, relative, clergy member, or other health professional and ask them to help you get professional treatment.
You can also locate addiction professionals by getting in touch with local addiction treatment centers, by asking your primary care physician for recommendations, or by exploring the Internet for sex addiction therapists and counselors near you.
When you’re suffering sexual addiction, admitting you need help and looking for professional assistance won’t likely be easy. Having said that, acknowledging you need help isn’t going to minimize all the positive facets of your character.
In the event you or a family member is suffering from warning signs involved with sex addiction, there is always hope. You can bring an end to sexual compulsivity and sex addiction. You can have a healthy and balanced sex life and experience real intimacy in your relationship.
Professional sex addiction counseling can help you out of the shadow of sexual addiction and sexual compulsivity and move forward towards recovery and a healthier, happier life.
Tags:
addiction counseling,
sex addiction,
sex addiction counseling,
sexual addiction
Popular Incoming Search Queries