Treatment Centers

Sex addiction is a painful, complicated addiction that’s not actually about sex. It’s also not caused by a partner’s diminishing sexual libido, a partner’s sexual performance or even level of attractiveness a person may feel toward their partner.

Sex addiction may affect as many as five percent of the adults in the U.S., but many more are believed affected by the condition because they may keep the problem a secret. While media headlines refer to sex addiction in numerous ways, the reality is becoming more and more evidence-based: Sex addiction, like other addictions, has both biological and emotional components and requires professional help for recovery.

Identifying whether or not a person has sexual addiction involves a professional specialist in addiction, and can be based upon a list of symptoms:

• Inability to control urges for sex with multiple partners
• Increasingly bizarre sexual interests or acts once avoided by the person
• Missing social and family functions, as well as work, to use sexual material
• Denial about the behavior
• Inability to control excessive or unwanted thoughts about sex
• Continuing to pursue sexual behaviors even when the consequences are severe
• Struggles with intimate relationships or low self-esteem

Also referred to as hypersexuality or sexual compulsivity, sexual addiction is achieving more formal recognition among psychologists and professionals. The forthcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will likely include hypersexuality as a listing, and many more treatment centers are opening nationwide. Therapists are also charged with helping spouses and children understand the causes and consequences of sexual addiction, as well as ways to support their loved one as they embark on recovery.

During treatment, more therapists are including both spouses, recognizing the severe trauma and emotional consequences of the addiction on a marriage. The conversations can also involve exploring past sexual experiences or sexual trauma, as these are believed to be a causal factor for some people who have sexual addiction. In all of these cases, the guidance of a professionally trained expert in sexual compulsivity or sexual addictions is needed.

Most experts agree that knowledge of sexual addiction isn’t enough, however, to help patients reach lasting recovery. This is due to the nature of sex addiction itself, which is most often rooted in a person’s deeply held struggles with intimacy. Many people with sexual addiction have low self-esteem and are avoiding negative emotions through the act of sex, much like a person with a drug or alcohol addiction would use a substance to avoid negative feelings.

Over time, the pleasure derived from sex fades and the act becomes a vehicle for escape. Consequently, a person’s desire for sex and their ability to perform sexually can be significantly impacted.

Specific certifications can also be attained by professionals seeking to treat patients with sexual addiction. Many carry a focus on determining underlying causes and triggers, repairing family relationships and accountability.