Sexual Addiction

What is sexual addiction?

Sexual addiction is any sexual activity that feels out of control. A sex addict often feels compelled to seek out and engage in sexual behavior, in spite of the problems it may cause in their personal, social and work lives. Sexual addicts often make sex a priority more important than family, friends, and work.

Sexual addiction is also called sexual dependency and sexual compulsivity.

How can sex become addictive?

Sex can become addictive in a similar way to alcohol and illegal drugs. During sex, our bodies release a powerful cocktail of chemicals that make us feel good. Some people get addicted to these chemicals and become obsessed with getting their next sexual high. As with other types of addictions, the body gets used to these chemicals, so the sufferer needs increasing amounts of sex to achieve the same buzz.

Many sex addicts say their unhealthy use of sex has been a progressive process. Their sex addiction may have started with an addiction to masturbation, pornography, or a relationship, but over the years progressed to increasingly dangerous behaviors.

During the lows of sexual fulfillment, the addict often feels shame, regret, remorse and anxiety. Sex addicts might feel alone, isolated and powerless to change their behaviour. They often look for sex as a way to escape these difficult feelings.

Forms of sexual addiction

There are many forms of sexual addiction. Some common formst of sexual addiction are:

• excessive use of pornography
• compulsive masturbation
• exhibitionism
• voyeurism
• fetishes
• high-risk sex
• prostitution
• telephone sex
• internet sex
• multiple affairs
• anonymous sexual encounters
• obsessive dating through personal ads
• sexual harassment

Sexual addiction statistics

A survey of sexual addicts (source:www.sexhelp.com) revealed that as a result of their behaviour:

• 70 percent had severe relationship problems
• 40 percent had lost a partner
• 27 percent had lost career opportunities
• 40 percent had experienced unwanted pregnancies
• 72 percent suffered suicidal obsession
• 17 percent had attempted suicide
• 68 percent had been exposed to sexually transmitted infections