What Is Sex Addiction?
What causes an addiction is how the substance or act affects the reward pathways in the brain. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), “Instead of achieving reward system activation through adaptive behaviors, [the addiction] directly activates the reward pathways.” A sex addiction, like any other addiction, leads to unhealthy behaviors and has negative consequences.
What Are the Symptoms of Sex Addiction?
The symptoms of sex addiction include:- Frequent and intense sexual urges
- Compulsive sexual activity
- Need for more sexual activity
- Problems at school or work
- Feelings of guilt and shame
How Common Is Sexual Addiction and Who Is Most Affected?
Sexual addiction is not yet highly researched, but it is estimated that 3 to 6% of the population live with sex addiction. Sex addiction can affect anyone, however, some risk factors include:- Trauma- People who have experienced trauma, especially sexual abuse trauma, are more likely to live with a sexual addiction.
- Genetics- As with any other addiction, genetics can play a large role in sexual addiction.
- Other mental illnesses- Oftentimes, sex addiction is co-occurring with other mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder or histrionic personality disorder.
- Brain chemistry- Imbalances in the reward hormone, dopamine, can influence a sex addiction.
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“In my experience, the most effective aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Establishing trust between a client and clinician is the first step to healing.”
What Are the Complications of Having a Sexual Addiction or Hypersexuality?
Living with a sex addiction can have negative effects on all areas of your life such as:- Difficulty in relationships
- Legal problems
- Financial challenges
- Health problems
- Social isolation
- Hopelessness
- Emptiness
How Is Hypersexuality Diagnosed?
Sex addiction or hypersexuality is not part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) but your therapist will still be able to help you identify if you are experiencing a sex addiction. They will ask you questions about your history, your symptoms, and your environment.How Is Sexual Addiction and Hypersexuality Treated?
The most effective therapy for sex addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps clients identify their harmful thinking processes and reframe them. Your therapist will provide you with tools to challenge your negative thoughts. They will also provide you with coping skills that work for you to help you deal with your urges.What Type of Therapy Can Help?
Other types of therapy that can be used for sex addiction include:- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Motivational interview (MI)
What Are the Benefits of an Inpatient Program to Treat Sex Addiction?
An inpatient program can be beneficial to treat sex addiction by:- Providing 24/7 support: If you encounter a trigger while in a residential treatment program, you have round-the-clock support to be able to learn the skills to later be able to deal with these triggers independently.
- Structure: Oftentimes people living with addictions significantly benefit from structure. Structure helps break free from old habits and develop new healthy habits.
- Lack of distraction: An inpatient treatment center provides you with the freedom from having outside influences like work, school, and your social life so you can focus on your treatment.
Outpatient Sexual Addiction Rehab and Treatment Programs
Outpatient treatment programs for sex addiction allow clients to receive help with their addiction while having the ability to go home, work, and maintain their day-to-day lives. Outpatient treatment involves individual therapy, group therapy, and at times medication management. There are benefits to both residential and inpatient programs. It is important to have an honest discussion with your therapist and support system to decide which treatment option is best for you.Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
Some prescription options for sex addiction include:- Antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-psychotics
- Naltrexone
- Ginkgo-Biloba
- St. John Wort
- Melatonin
- L-arginine
How to Find the Best Sex Addiction Treatment Facility?
To find the best sex addiction treatment facility consider:- Your needs are regarding inpatient vs outpatient facilities
- The facility and staff
- Type of therapy you are interested in
- Location
- Success rate