Sex Addiction

Addiction: The term "addiction" is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive psychological dependence. There are many addictions out there, the most obvious ones being Alcohol and Drugs. However, addiction spans across many areas of life from credit cards to work.


Sex addiction is fairly new, but has been linked to both pornography and cybersex addiction. Let me stop here and say that addiction is a disease and not just a state of mind. This article will address addiction as a disease, if you feel that you may have a problem please seek medical help. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov/)

Sex Addiction
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: http://www.slaafws.org/
Sexaholics Anonymous: http://www.sa.org/index.php

The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as "engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others."(2) Sexual addiction is best described as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family member’s increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.(5).

I am no expert, but, I have worked with many people who have substance abuse issues. Sex addiction is often not seen as a “real” addiction, and can be very shameful for the person. Many people ask me why addicts “just don’t stop”. This is not something you can just stop doing. That would be like telling a diabetic to “just stop” having diabetes.

Addiction is a real health disorder. Nobody woke up one day and said, “I think I am gonna be an addict today”. There are often underlying issues. There are some people who we consider to be “Dual Diagnosed”. These are people who have both a mental illness and substance abuse issues.

This could be the same with sexual addiction. Sex releases brain chemicals that make us feel “Happy” or “Euphoric”. The act of sex is not what the person is addicted to; it is a combination of factors including these chemicals. There are many tests online that can help you to understand your sexual behavior. If you think you have a problem please seek help. I have provided some resources for you, and I will provide a link to the “Gay Men’s Sexual Addiction Screening Test”
http://sash.net/index.php/Gay-Men-Sexual-Addiction-Screening-Test.html
Stay Healthy and Be FIERCE!