Sex Addiction Treatment

Sex addiction may be best understood as a compulsivity disorder that is defined by intimacy issues and compulsive sex acts and thoughts. For most patients, it starts slowly and grows progressively worse over time, slowly overtaking patients’ lives as they have to increase the acts or time dedicated to fantasy in order to achieve the results originally experienced.

Sex addiction can mean compulsive masturbation, frequent use of pornography or legal sex services, or illegal activities such as child molestation, public sex acts, rape or paying for sex. However, sex addiction and sex offenses are not always a package. According to Psych Central, only about 55 percent of convicted sex offenders are classified as sex addicts.

For most people living with the disorder, sex addiction is about sexual gratification and release, even though few derive much pleasure from indulging in their act of choice. In fact, like other addictions, sex addiction usually leads to a wide range of negative consequences that do little to subvert the addict from continuing to live with an active and untreated addiction. In many cases, those who try to stop on their own find it impossible and must enroll in a mental health treatment program in order to get the help they need to heal.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with sex addiction, there is no need to continue to fight the battle alone. Call us today to learn more about sex addiction treatment programs that can help you regain control of your life.
Back to Top

Sex as an Addiction

Sex is a necessary human act; it’s how humans propagate the species. In fact, a low level of interest in sex can indicate a medical issue. However, like eating, people can abuse the act, making it into something harmful that causes pain to them and everyone around them. The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) says that sex addiction is similar to other addictions in a number of ways, including:

• There are similar changes to the brain after long-term, active addiction.
• Genetics and environment may play a part.
• Trauma can be an underlying issue.
• Addicts may attempt to escape through the action.
• Co-occurring disorders are often a problem.
• Treatment focuses on therapy, and 12-step programs are helpful in recovery.

Like other addictions, sex addiction is highly treatable and those who dedicate themselves to a long-term recovery can enjoy continued abstinence. See Addiction Statistics
Back to Top

Causes

No one knows why some people develop an addiction to certain sexual acts and others can have healthy sexual relationships without it harming their day-to-day lives. There are a number of things, however, that are possible causes:

• Childhood trauma. AllPsych Journal says that 60 percent of those addicted to sex were abused during childhood. Emotional abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and an inappropriate introduction to sexual experimentation that doesn’t feel mutual have been linked to the development of sex addiction.
• Biochemistry. For some patients, the use of antidepressants or psychotropic drugs is appropriate and effective in the treatment of sex addiction, which indicates that biochemistry may be a causative issue.
• Co-occurring disorders. Other issues like drug dependence or mental health issues can lead patients to indulge in compulsive sex acts.
• Genetics. Many sex addicts in recovery report that others in their family struggle with the same issue or live with an active substance abuse issue.

Back to Top

Types of Addiction

Sex addiction comes in many forms and each one may affect the patient differently, causing different negative consequences in his or her life. According to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step program dedicated to helping those who engage in compulsive sex and love acts to their own detriment, some types of sex addiction include:

• Extreme dependency on sexual relationships
• Continuing obsession with romance or love
• Chronic use of online porn, paper porn or phone sex services
• Compulsive sex acts with strangers, with oneself or with one specific person

Any compulsive or obsessive pattern that is sexual or romantic in nature that becomes overwhelming to the point that relationships, careers and sense of self are damaged can be classified as a sex addiction.
Back to Top

Diagnosis and Evaluation

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) classifies sex addiction under the classification “Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified” and defines it as a pattern of compulsive behaviors related to “sexual relationships.” This means that a wide range of actions and thoughts can fall into this category, making it difficult for patients to recognize sex addiction when it is happening to them. For this reason, seeking treatment is often postponed for years and many patients may never formally identify themselves as sex addicts or get the help they need to have normal, healthy sexual and romantic relationships. In many cases, it is at the request of a significant other that a sex addict will begin treatment and learn how to live without indulging in compulsive sex acts. See signs and symptoms.
Back to Top

Focus of Care

The focus of sex addiction is in helping the sex addict recognize that their inability to avoid compulsive sex acts is damaging their life and then to help them learn how to stop those behaviors and the thoughts that lead to them. According to Sex & Love Addiction, Treatment & Recovery by Praeger Book, this means:

• Identification of triggers. Whether it’s late night sex ads, the computer, a certain person or a particular situation that makes a patient feel compelled to indulge in repeated sex acts, it’s important for patients to recognize their personal triggers.
• Separation from triggers. Inpatient care is one way to remove the patient from their triggers and help them to retrain their focus to other, more positive things.
• Therapy for underlying issues. In instances where childhood trauma or sexual trauma is one of the causes, or when co-occurring disorders are an issue, it’s important that therapy address these issues.
• Coping skills. Learning how to live without indulging in compulsive sex acts means learning new ways to deal with stress, boredom, depression and other emotional issues that compulsivity relieves.
• Therapy for emotions related to actions caused by addiction. For many patients, issues of shame and regret keep them from being strong enough to stick to a treatment program. Dealing with those emotions can help the patient to move forward.

Back to Top

Discovering ‘Sobriety’

Because sex is a necessary part of a healthy life, abstinence is not a reasonable option for those recovering from sex addiction. Therefore, discovering “sobriety” means something a little bit different for sex addicts than it does for those addicted to drugs and alcohol or other compulsive acts like gambling. In the beginning or when struggling with a particular issue, some sex addicts may benefit from a period of abstinence, but the goal is a healthy relationship with sex, so this can mean refraining from specific sex acts or numbers of sex acts in a given period, depending upon the patient’s unique issues.

Different sex addiction treatment programs may specify specific parameters or boundaries that define their version of sexual sobriety. Depending upon their philosophy of care, some may define sobriety after sex addiction as no sex outside of marriage or a monogamous relationship while others ask patients to refrain from sex acts that cause them to feel shame or regret. This definition is highly variable from program to program and patient to patient. Additionally, over time, patients may adjust their understanding of sexual sobriety as they grow and progress in treatment, though the specifics of their goals for themselves should only be changed after discussion with a therapist.
Back to Top

Types of Treatment

There are a number of different types of treatment available for sex addicts in search of healing. Any one may be appropriate given the circumstances and experience of the individual, but in most cases, a combination of therapeutic options is usually most appropriate.

• Inpatient programs. Time and space away from triggers gives patients a chance to work through their compulsive cravings and focus on their health as well as learn how to prioritize their recovery.
• Outpatient programs. These may be appropriate if patients have a great deal of at-home support and an ability to buffer themselves from triggers.
• Medication. Antidepressants and psychotropic medications have been shown to be helpful in treating the mood symptoms related to sex addiction.
• 12-step programs. Sexaholics Anonymous is one of many 12-step groups dedicated to helping those who are in recovery from sex addiction to apply the 12 steps to their lives and learn how to live with integrity rather than as a slave to addiction.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Behavior and perspective are the focus of this type of therapy, and it is particularly advantageous in helping sex addicts to re-adjust their responses to stimuli and learn how to manage their disorder.
• Personal therapy. Talking through emotional issues and sexual trauma from childhood and early adulthood can help patients heal on multiple levels.
• Group therapy. Like 12-step groups, group therapy can help sex addicts build a community in recovery and learn from the mistakes and successes of others.

Back to Top

Questions to Ask

For patients seeking a sex addiction treatment program that provides the services that will best help them heal based upon a philosophy that works for their lives, it’s important to ask questions up front. For example:

• What is your definition of “sexual sobriety”?
• What therapies and treatments do you provide?
• Do you allow for personalized treatment?
• How often do you provide check-ins with the focus of updating treatment plans?
• What is the experience of your staff in treating sex addiction?

Back to Top

Consequences of Untreated Addiction

Avoiding sex addiction treatment when the disorder is a chronic issue for a patient can be devastating to several areas of his or her life. According to SASH, some of the consequences of untreated sex addiction include:

• Health consequences. Sexually transmitted diseases, abuse and certain cancers are a few of the increased health risks for those who live with an active sex addiction.
• Legal consequences. Those who indulge in public sex acts or feel compelled to other illegal acts including child molestation or rape will most certainly find themselves facing serious legal consequences.
• Financial consequences. Some sex compulsions like phone sex, online porn, prostitution, strip clubs and others are extremely expensive, and in some cases, sex addicts can lose their jobs if they fail to perform their work duties due to their addiction.
• Emotional consequences. Guilt, shame, regret, lack of self-esteem, depression – all these and more are common among those unable to control sexual compulsions.
• Interpersonal consequences. It’s difficult to maintain healthy relationships when sex addiction is an issue – with significant others as well as other family members and close friends.
• See dangers of sex addiction

Back to Top

Treatment for Family and Friends

According to Recovering from Sexual Abuse, Addictions, & Compulsive Behaviors by Sandra Knauer, recovery from sex addiction is possible when patients accept that they have the disorder and that avoiding treatment for that disorder will have negative consequences. Those who commit to making the necessary changes to heal, enroll in treatment, and stay committed to that treatment, no matter how difficult, will find that they are able to effect great changes in their lives.

In the same way, friends and family who love someone addicted to sex can heal as well. Relationships may never be “the same” but they can heal and move forward after sex addiction when all involved demonstrate the same commitment to education about the disorder and its treatment.
Back to Top

Find Treatment Today

Sex is a huge part of our culture and every decade brings looser sexual references in mainstream media and more openness about sexuality. The incidence of sex addiction is nothing new but an increased attention to the disorder means that those who struggle with it can find the help they need to leave compulsive sex acts behind and learn how to focus on other parts of their lives, having healthy romantic and sexual relationships along the way.

Learn more about the options available to you in sex addiction treatment when you contact us at the phone number listed above. Our counselors are standing by to help you make the decisions that will change your future. Call now.
Back to Top