Sex/intercourse addiction( Trigger warning)
Sex addiction
(trigger warning)
It sounds like an addiction not many people have or talk about. But it is out there and i have been one of the addicts at a time.
Sexual/sex addiction is a state characterized by compulsive participation or engagement in sexual activity particularly sexual intercourse, despite negative consequences.
The following characteristics indicate compulsive sexual behavior:
1. repetitive sexual activities that become a central focus of the person's life, to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities, and responsibilities
2. numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behavior
3. continued repetitive sexual behavior despite adverse consequences or deriving little or no satisfaction from it
4. a pattern of failure to control intense sexual impulses or urges and the resulting repetitive sexual behavior over an extended period, for example, 6 months
5. persistent behaviors that cause marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, and occupational function, as well as in other important area
Whats the outlook for sex addiction?
The person addressing sex addiction faces a unique set of challenges. They may be engaging in behaviors that put their relationships, their own safety and health, and the health of their partner in jeopardy. At the same time, sex addiction is considered a controversial diagnosis and its lacking diagnostic criteria as well as evidence-based treatments.
Trauma?
Some addictions are trauma based.The person with the trauma-based type has experienced sexual trauma(s) as a child or adolescent. This trauma becomes the major repetitive behavior in their addiction.It might be a good idea to meet a therapist to talk about the trauma and heal in all ways.
What are the treatments for sex addiction?
Those who describe treating sex addiction may recommend one or more of the following methods.
(These are just suggestions, i recommend talking to a specialist/ therapist before taking up any of them)
1. 12-step programs
Programs such as Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) follow the same recovery model as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They can be very helpful for addressing sex addiction.
Members arent required to give up sex entirely, but they are encouraged to refrain from compulsive and destructive sexual behavior. Group meetings with others addressing the same challenges provide a good support system.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy
This type of therapy can help a person identify triggers for sexual impulses and ultimately teach them how to alter behaviors. This is achieved through one-on-one sessions with a licensed mental health therapist.
3. Medication
Some people may benefit from a course of drug therapy. Certain antidepressants might help alleviate urges (which is separate from the potential side effects of some antidepressants that can cause decreased libido or impair other aspects of the sexual experience).
Its not clear, however, whether a physician would prescribe drugs for this condition
Self-care
1. Talking to someone always helps and we listeners are here to help and talk you through a tough time. We alll have a few people around us who we might be able to trust and discussing it with them will help to make clear decisions .
2. finding the core reason for the addiction might help to reduce the intensity of it in the long run
3. going to meetings and support groups of similiar issues is a great idea to be able to relate and perhaps even learn new ways to recover
Remember , you are unique and you will have your own way of recovery. Trying counts a lot and we all want you to get better, at your own pace and comfort
oh! and you are amazing!
PS: you are welcome to ask questions , talk about your stories and have discussion. Connect to a listener if you feel like you need to talk to someone!
(please remember to follow the community guidelines!)
@Hedwiglovegood Wow! Very informative and helpful information, thank you!
@MarshmaIIows
@MarshmaIIows
Thank you so much!!!
@Hedwiglovegood thank you if you would like to chat I have experience
@Hedwiglovegood Thanks for the informative, well organized post! Especially love the resources you provided. :)
@lovelyWhisper66
Thank you for this.
@HikerATL
PSA: Anyone here should take extreme caution when taking advice on 12-Step programs as a "treatment" for any addiction. They are not evidence based medical treatments and no medical professional in their right mind would recommend it as such.
@SentryTheDefiant
Thank you for making that point Sentry, none of them should be attempted without proper information and research as those steps may not be adviced by a therapist or doctor specialised in the concerened topic. sex addiction is still an area of unresolved doubts due to lack of proper research and assessment. we must all try our hardest to remember that what mainly matters is that we take care of ourselves and don't believe we are going through something incomprehensible. you are who you are and we accept and love you with or without it!.
@Hedwiglovegood
Absolutely, I really share your sentiments about struggling alone in these things, self acceptance and especially seeking expert advice. That in fact is the very reason I bring up caution around TSF's in particular since the very first step encourages people to give up their control over their addiction and lay that burden on to a so called higher power, be it god or whatever version of the steps that the program has been adapted to.
While I'm not saying TSF's are necessarily a bad thing (though I do question its efficacy) support groups can be very helpful and beneficial, we should definitely take care not to confuse support groups such as these (and 7cups for example) as treatments. Like you say, there are problems with all of these options and I also would encourage anyone considering them to do a little research.
It's been 5 months now...I want to have sex. I lack for human contact.
I wish there was some way.
@Hedwiglovegood
I would love to have a listener to chat with about my personal addiction. Are there any listeners out there that would like to chat about sex-ting addiction and depression?
@ReeceMonkeyy
Please feel free to chat to me anytime.
Thanks for sharing
I don’t think I can have ever realized just how much my sexual history has been a form of risky behaviour until now
It's difficult for me to draw a fine line whether I'm an addict or no. Like I know I am addicted to it because I'm aroused almost always but I haven't found myself not taking care of myself or my personal life being affected by it. At the same time, when I'm aroused I find myself lose control over my head and certain actions which I feel guilty about later, and I hate that.