Sexual addiction means any sexually-related manners associated with compulsivity and obsession. This behavior makes it difficult for the person to establish a healthy personal relationship. The behaviors associated with this addiction interfere with a person’s normal living. Sex addiction is very different from having high sexual drive. When you are identified as a sex addict, you are sex dependent. You look for sexual pleasure even from non-sexual objects. A high sexual drive is only associated with aggressive behavior when it comes to sex. People with high sexual drive do not necessarily depend on sex and are able to build a healthy sexual or personal relationship with other people. Sexual addicts make sex a priority over their family, friends, and work. With these, they destroy important relationships with the people who really care for them.
There is no known cause of sexual addiction. Yet, certain factors have been studied that could possibly caused the addiction. the abnormal levels of sex hormones and chemicals in the brain such as androgens, dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin. Moreover, unusualities in the brain caused by neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, and seizures, and medications such as dopamine agonists could really be a possible cause of sexual addiction. A change in our brain’s nerve circuits can be the causing factor of the unusual physical reactions to sexual activity. In a psychological perspective, sexual, physical, and mental abuse during childhood could increase the risk for sex addiction during adulthood. Severe experience of neglect, rejection, and emotional trauma during childhood could also lead to an increased risk for developing addictions, specifically sexual addiction. Studies have shown that victims of abuse, trauma, and neglect may have low levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect how they experience pleasure. Furthermore, according to mental health professionals, sexual addiction could be related to other psychological disorders such as impulse control and eating disorders.
Sex addiction does not discriminate. You and me could be a sexual addict. It could be a minister, physician, factory worker or an executive. It could take place to anybody from all walks of life. According to studies, people who are sexually addicted have come from families wherein addiction had already flourished, such as alcoholism, compulsive eating, and compulsive gambling. As for gender, there has no known difference between men and women. However, studies have found that sexually addicted women is increasing in number.
Behaviors associated with sexual addiction includes, compulsive masturbation, multiple affairs, consistent use of pornography, unsafe sex, cybersex, prostitution or use of prostitutes, exhibitionism, stalking, sexual harassment, and molestation. Sexual addicts gains little satisfaction from the sexual activity. They form no emotional bond with his or her partner. Sex is thought to be their means of escape from stress, boredom, anxiety, and emotional strain. With sex, the addict feels powerful and desirable.
More often than not, a sexual addict is in denial that he/she is an addict. They usually feel tremendous guilt and shame about their out-of-control behavior. These people survive in constant fear of discovery. So, they deny their situation and pretend that there is nothing wrong with them. Thus, the first step to treat sexual addiction, just like any other addiction, is to admit that there is something wrong with them. Then professional help would come at hand. Curing is done with a therapist. As it is more of a behavioral and cognitive problem, cognitive-behavioral therapy is best to be used as treatment. To determine the causing factor of the abnormal behavior, a full history so to be conducted on the patient. As part of this cognitive/behavioral task-oriented approach, a sexual sobriety plan is constructed wherein the patient will abstain from sex for a period of time. After abstaining, they often report a sense of well-being, a restored sense of dignity and hope for a future without any sexual compulsive behaviors. Once, the positive emotions and cognitions are achieved, group therapy is recommended.
Sexual addiction involves any type of out of control sexual activity which may have been caused by past traumatic experiences during childhood. Aside from professional help, recognizing and accepting the behavior problem is one step to recovery.