Are You a Sex Addict? What are the Signs of Sex Addiction?
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Key Points at a Glance 📝
- 👉 Being a sex addict is about compulsive behaviour, not just enjoying sex. ⚠️
- 👉 It can impact relationships, work, and daily life. 💔
- 👉 Recognising the signs early can help in seeking support. 🧠
- 👉 Therapy and self-help strategies can aid in managing addiction. 💪
Key Advice and Tips from Our Experts 💡
- 🎯 Recognise patterns of compulsive behaviour early and address them with professional help.
- 🎯 Open, honest communication is key. Share your feelings with a trusted friend or therapist. 🗣️
- 🎯 Take small, manageable steps in recovery. One day at a time! ⏳
- 🎯 Engage in hobbies and activities that redirect your energy in healthy ways. 🎨
Sex addiction is often overlooked as people rarely see it as a problem that needs to be cured. Unlike alcoholism or drug abuse I is rarely bad for a person physically and as we all know sex is one of the most important aspects of a happy fulfilling life.
However we shouldn’t underestimate the damaging effects of sex addiction, not just on the addict but also on the people that share their lives. Sex addiction is destructive and can blow whole worlds apart if treatment is not sought.
What are the Signs of Sex Addiction?
Just like any other addict a sex addict will rarely be able to think of anything else. We may joke about men thinking of sex every six seconds, however this is generally fleeting, a sex addict will not only think about it, they will need to feel some satisfaction so will endeavour to have sex very regularly.
This results in:
Obsessive masturbation - as when there isn’t a willing partner at the ready they will seek stimulation immediately, it doesn’t matter if this is just ten minutes before their partner comes home, a sex addict needs sexual stimulation now.
Extra Marital Affairs - Every person of the opposite sex becomes an object of desire that can fulfil their need.
Pornography Addiction - It’s a fact that the more a person watches pornography the more desensitised they become to the images, seeking more and more to be able to achieve the same kicks. A sex addict will view pornography as part of daily, even hourly life.
Online Sex - Either through dating on websites, cybersex or chat rooms, sex addicts will find any outlet they can.
One Night Stands/ Unsafe Sex - When sex is on the brain nothing else matters, this includes condoms. Sex addicts will have many one night stands and will not worry about the consequences of unsafe sex.
Although not all sex addicts become sex offenders sometimes the addiction can escalate to include unlawful acts such as:
- Exhibitionism
- Prostitution (The use of prostitutes)
- Voyeurism (without permission)
- Molestation/Rape
All of these can have a negative impact on the addict’s life and the life of those round them, so it is important to notice the signs so help can be sought.
What Help is There?
Sex Addiction is treated as a form of an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and so is treated in a similar way. Counselling is offered along with anti-depressant drugs on prescription, such as Prozac. There are also groups for sex addicts and their families along with a bespoke 12 step programme.