Around 3% to 6% of Americans possess some form of sex addiction.
A sex addict often engages in having intercourse with strangers, compulsive masturbation, voyeurism, and exhibitionism.
Sexual addiction is viewed as an irresistible involvement in sexual activity, despite the innumerable consequences.
Instead of being fulfilling, this behavior can be emotionally draining.
Although people may not see it as an actual disorder, sex addiction can be a real problem and cause a profound impact on well-being and romantic relationships.
It is hard for partners to accept that their loved one had sex with many other people behind their back.
This can lead to distressed marriages, huge regrets, and ultimately breakups.
If you want to know the ins and outs of what it feels like to be a sex addict, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is all you need to know.
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Sex Addiction – What Does It Actually Mean?
This addiction is compulsive sexual behavior.
Sexual behavior can present itself in different forms and severity, just like that of a mood disorder, substance use disorder, or impulse-control disorder.
The compulsive sexual behavior serves as an escaping mechanism.
Particularly in people who want to avoid everyday stressors. Survey shows that of all evaluated sex addicts:
- 50% experienced a mental disorder
- 46% recently lost a valuable romantic partner
- 38% had been emotionally abused
- 27% developed sexual dysfunction
- 20% had profound suicidal thoughts
- 17% had been sexually abused
- 16% had been physically abused
But, the problem is, this sexual behavior only creates further complications, forming an endless cycle of broken relationships, shame, desperation, and absorption or fixation, research shows.
Additionally, a person can be diagnosed with this form of addiction, if they meet the ICD-10 criteria.
ICD-10 Criteria
Sex addiction is defined by the constant urge to get a sexual “fix”. This is the same kind of impact people get with drug addiction or alcohol use disorder.
The sexual urge, however, has nothing to do with bestiality or pedophilia.
The affected person doesn’t need to take part in extreme sexual behavior to develop an addiction. The addiction itself has a significant effect on their decision-making.
It is more tailored towards being unable to stop the need for sex unless there is an event that gets in the way.
Those affected with this sex disorder often struggle with depression, social isolation, anxiety, mood disorder, and stress.
In some people, the addiction could manifest into a compulsive need to watch pornography (porn addiction), masturbate, or take part in sexually stimulating events.
The issue with the sexual impulses with this sexual disorder is that it is challenging to control.
The need to have that sexual fantasy fulfilled dominates the central nervous system. Research shows that three brain regions became more active in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior than healthy participants.
As expected, patients with sexual behavior depicted higher levels of desire towards sexually explicit content. Their desire for sex was associated with elevated interactions within networks of the brain.
Experts estimate a link between brain activity and age in patients with this kind of disorder. The younger the affected individual, the bigger the level of activity in their brain in response to pornography.
How to Spot the Problem
Research indicates that different mood states most frequently trigger compulsive sexual behavior.
Depression, loneliness, sadness, and happiness are the most common triggers.
Those who can’t overcome sexual addiction often turn to drugs (or substance addiction) to help them cope with their problems.
In fact, from 34% to 71% of people with this sexual compulsion have co-occurring lifetime substance abuse disorders.
Substance abuse is used as another coping mechanism.
Their sexual behavior could also be accompanied by a distinct disorder other than substance abuse. Like impulse control disorder. Such as compulsive shopping or pathological gambling.
Symptoms
Although it is difficult to know precisely how sexual addiction can affect a person, a couple of symptoms might indicate the disorder is present.
These symptoms include:
- Obsessive and constant fantasies related to a sexual thought.
- Inability to control the need for sex.
- Constant lying to cover infidelity.
- Compulsive needs to have many sex partners.
- Putting the relationship in danger due to the unquenchable sexual desire.
- Feeling guilty or remorseful after having sex with anyone but their long-term sexual partner.
- Work and family begin to suffer because of the inability to control sexual behavior.
Female sex addiction is typically characterized as “exchange sex,” like seduction and trading sex.
Women tend to use this addiction to establish power or dominance. While men mainly develop a pornography addiction and enjoy anonymous sex, often focusing on sexual objectification.
However, enjoying sex is not a sign of compulsive sexual behavior or love addiction.
It means that the body experiences a normal reaction to desire and sexual stimulation. This is healthy sexuality.
The differences in sexual interest level may vary from partner to partner, but that doesn’t mean addiction has manifested. If addiction is a problem, then proper treatment may be necessary.
Practical Treatment Options
Because of the social stigma around this disorder, countless individuals don’t admit they need help.
A survey shows that only 20% of patients who want treatment for compulsive sexual behavior are women.
Those who do receive sex addiction treatment may get a different treatment approach.
Experts believe that medication targeted towards managing compulsive behavior provides only short and modest benefits.
That’s why it is best to combine psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy for any type of behavioral addiction.
Currently, the go-to choices include:
Medication
Endocrinological agents have a 50% to 90% positive response rate and can reduce the frequency of sexual urges, the need to watch pornography, and any other sexual behavior.
Inpatient recovery
With a controlled environment, patients get to learn how to manage their impulses and begin healing. Options like group and individual therapy sessions can prove highly beneficial.
12-step program
This program doesn’t instruct patients to give up on sex altogether. But to refrain from relying on compulsive sexual behavior as a coping mechanism to conduct destructive sexual behavior.
The program provides enough support for those dealing with addiction.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
A licensed mental health professional can teach patients how to revamp their behavior and process addiction completely.
Here, patients get to figure out their triggers and achieve the ultimate balance between control and pleasure.
Outlook
People in constant need of sex due to their compulsive sexual behavior are facing multiple challenges.
They could be engaging in this sexual behavior because of their declining mental health.
Or something that might have happened in their childhood and has now manifested into a full-blown disorder.
Those diagnosed with compulsive sexual behavior should opt for treatment to get the addictive behavior under control.
When to Ask for Expert Help
Mental health experts can help with this hypersexual disorder, as they can with any other addictive behavior.
If your sex life is causing irreparable damage to your romantic relationships, it is a good idea to contact a mental health specialist. Such as a sex therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
Especially if you can’t control any sexual act or sexual behavior. Your compulsive sexual behavior disorder might be viewed as a sexual sin by your partner, but it can be managed.
Final Thoughts
So, every addiction comes with its challenges. This compulsive sexual behavior is no exception.
To know how to get the hang of sexual behavior, talk with a doctor. They can help characterize and pinpoint the compulsive sexual behavior and its addiction model and get to the root of the issue.
With adequate sexual behavior treatment, you can fix the cycle of broken relationships.
