Can Sex Be Addictive?

Similar to drug addiction, sex can also be addictive. It’s a destructive health problem and highly dangerous. Sex addiction isn’t good for your mental health too.

Do you have control over your desires, thoughts, and impulses? If yes, how strong? Sexual impulses come about naturally, but sex addiction bridges from behaviors demonstrated excessively and have a high negative influence on an individual's life. Sexual addiction is missing from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5. Is being addicted to sex possible? Studies show that sexual habits can grow like a chemical obsession. It can give a compulsive need for sexual stimulation, which tempers someone’s daily life. Let’s continue reading to learn about sex addiction.

What is sex addiction?

We can describe sex addiction as several behaviors performed excessively and negatively affecting a person's life. What's a person that's addicted to sex? As mentioned in the introduction, a sex addict would have a compulsive need for arousal. As a result, the desire affects their ability to lead a usual daily life. There are various sexual addiction forms, for example:

• Prostitution
• Watching pornography
• Voyeurism or exhibition
• Sexual fantasy or masturbation
• Sexual acts generally

The urge can make a sex addict interfere with daily activities and persistently perform sexual acts. They get out of control in their manners regardless of the effects. The behavior can seriously impact a person's life. This addiction potentially brings effects as shown by alcohol and drug addicts, such as physical and mental health issues, reduced life quality, and poor personal relationships.

Sexual addiction signs

Sexual addiction is shown either in emotional or physical ways. A healthcare provider can prove this through diagnosis. However, below are signs of a latent sex addict:

• Spends more time on sex- People seeking to find sexual partners don't necessarily indicate sexual addiction, but excessively spending your time and energy on sex could be a sign. For instance, trying to make sexual attempts, being sexual, having sex, or recovering from sex encounters.
• Obsessed with sexual thoughts- A sexual addict can persistently think of sex. Chronic thinking and sexual imagination might result in obsession, thus preventing usual daily operations.
• Depression and shameful feeling- Suppose a sexual thought crosses an addict’s mind, their emotions may be interspersed with nervousness, anxiety, shame, regret, or depression. Possibly, one feels ashamed of the sexual desires and how challenging they can be to control. Some may even get depressed or think of suicide. Research supports this, which suggests that it's common for such people to demonstrate social anxiety, anxiety, and depression symptoms. For instance, a study showed that 28% of sexually compulsive men had depression signs as likened to 12% of the overall population.
• Excessive masturbation- Clearly, masturbation is probably a healthy way of expressing sexual drive or exploration, but doing it in excess is a red flag. It's best to check for signs, such as masturbating at odd times, compulsive kind, or performing it to the extent of harming, causing physical discomfort.
• Overlooking other duties- Most sex addicts are fond of fixating on sex till they forget other activities. Mostly, they may lag in their roles and responsibilities. For instance, not beating deadlines at work, school, or in personal lives. Some will even withdraw from social interaction. Their priorities are more sexual than other relaxation forms and recreation activities. They can also cause fallen relationships with friends, relatives, and partners.
• Cheating on their partners- Sexual addiction can compel one to have an extramarital engagement if not cheating on their partner. They'd regularly seek one-night stands. Sometimes it can be with several different people.
• Involving in inappropriate and risky behaviors- Inappropriate sexual behaviors, include fucking in public, sexual encounters with prostitutes, or without protection, and exhibitionism. In the process, one may contract sexually transmitted infections like HIV. Even studies have it that sexually compulsive individuals can possibly develop HIV.
• Committing sexual offenses- These people have high chances of engaging in criminal offenses, for example, rape, stalking, or child molestation. Most of these individuals can be sex addicts. But, it doesn't suggest that sexual addiction must result in sex crime scenes.

Sexual addiction treatment

Is there medicine for sex addicts? Well, almost every health condition, including sex addiction, can be remedied. In this case, a psychiatrist, psychologist, or sex therapist may be helpful. Treatment varies depending on someone's personal life and the cause behind the addiction. Medications can also apply, especially when the addiction is accompanied by other mental issues, such as mood disorders or anxiety. The following is a list of various treatment methods:

• Individual therapy- This May involve sessions between 30 and 60 minutes with a certified mental specialist, mainly teaching about your compulsive disorder or other re-occurring issues.
• Psychodynamic therapy- Works on the idea that people’s unconscious memories and struggles impact greatly on behavior. It helps pinpoint your influencers in childhood that could be contributing to your existing condition.
• Inpatient treatment- Some centers have special areas created for porn and sex addicts. One lives in the facility for the scheduled duration as they put focus on healing.
• Group therapy- Certified specialists help replace detrimental and negative thoughts with positive and pro-social behaviors. Through the group, one feels they're not alone.
• Marriage or couples counseling- Necessary for an addict with their partner. It helps enhance trust, communication skills, and healthy sexual life.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT- Is based on the belief that our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors interrelate. Working through them can help change any negativity to positivity.
• One-on-one therapy with a mental specialist
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

The bottom line

Are you struggling with sex addiction? It’s best to begin by understanding the symptoms and signs related to sexual addiction before seeking help. Different people deal differently with such an addiction. For instance, some would abuse drugs to cope with guilt and other sexual addiction stressors. Others use substances to increase the sexual experience. Suppose you're in this group, it's relevant to seek urgent help from a mental health professional or consult your doctor for leads on the same. Who is more addicted to sex? Sexual addiction is real and can be treated if given attention and time.