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.