Millions of adults enjoy and practice safe sex every day. How do you know if you or a loved one has crossed the line into a behavioral addiction? “Behavioral addiction” is used to describe a compulsive behavior that someone continues to perform despite it causing harm to his or her life, health, or relationships. There are many behaviors that fall under the umbrella of sex addiction, including but not limited to a pornography dependency, frequent one-night stands or use of prostitutes, uncontrollable impulses to engage in excessive or sadistic sexual acts, and shame or self-loathing over sexual practices.
Sex Addiction
Understanding Sex Addiction
If you can’t stop practicing certain sexual behaviors, despite them wreaking havoc on your life and relationships, you may be addicted to sex.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Addiction
If you can’t stop practicing certain sexual behaviors, despite them wreaking havoc on your life and relationships, you may be addicted to sex. If you’re lying and sneaking around to hide your sexual encounters, exploiting those around you for sex, having sex without regard for the consequences, spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about or having sex, or at risk of losing relationships or your job due to your behaviors—and still feel powerless to stop—it may be time to seek help.
It is nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly why any one person is addicted to sex, but there are certain risk factors that can contribute to a sex addiction. A hormonal imbalance, genetic predisposition, history of being sexually abused, and co-occurring mental health disorder are all examples of potential risk factors or causes of sex addiction. Not everyone who possesses one or more of these risk factors will develop an addiction, however.
Sex addicts typically practice unsafe sexual behaviors, which are associated with emotional, relational, and physical risks. Sex addiction puts you at an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Addicts often struggle to function normally within their family, workplace, and various social situations. Sex addiction not only affects the addict, but also his or her loved ones, who can feel neglected, humiliated, depressed, and angry—and can also suffer the consequences of STDs or unwanted pregnancies.
In some cases, medications can be used to restore hormonal balance or treat a co-occurring or underlying depression or anxiety. It’s important to remember that anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants can also be addictive. A holistic treatment plan administered by professionals in a rehab facility may be a safer and more effective treatment alternative for those facing sex addiction.
For those who struggle with substance abuse or a mental health disorder alongside their sex addiction, dual diagnosis can be a helpful component of a holistic treatment plan. Behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can also be useful in the journey to recovery. CBT helps individuals identify and replace the unhealthy beliefs that may drive or support their behaviors. The social support that comes with a 12-step program can also be useful for helping sex addicts achieve a lasting recovery.
How Hawaii Island Recovery Can Help You Recover from a Sex Addiction
Hawaii Island Recovery offers dual diagnosis to treat both sex addiction and any co-existing or underlying conditions simultaneously. We also offer CBT as one of several evidence-based interventions. Our multi-disciplinary, integrative treatment approach combines these talking therapies with more experiential and holistic therapies, such as wild dolphin assisted therapy and massage. All therapies are administered within the framework of a 12-step program to provide you or your loved one with the social support and other tools necessary for a full and lasting recovery from sex addiction.