What Defines a Sex Addiction?
Like many compulsive disorders, sex addiction is an obsessive behaviour which involves persistent dependence on various forms of sexual expression in order to cope with the stresses of life. Individuals become consumed by the addiction, and it becomes a priority in their life, more so than family, friends and work. They are willing to sacrifice what would otherwise be important to them in order to preserve and continue with their unhealthy lifestyle.
As with many other addictions, there is usually a cyclical pattern of behaviour, involving urges and cravings. Individuals suffering with a sex addiction enjoy the high of preparing and acting out their intended plan, and usually feel a sense of relief and elation on engaging in the act. However, there will then follow a period of withdrawal and repeated cravings. Sexual addiction is often used to eliminate negative feelings in one's life. These can include some or all of the following:
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Low self worth
- Anxiety and stress
- Problems within a personal relationship
- Boredom
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No single act defines a sex addiction, and behaviours can include masturbation, pornography, prostitution, compulsive heterosexual and homosexual relationships, incest, voyeurism, child molestation and rape and violence. Sex addiction is very much seen as taboo in modern day society and is not taken as seriously as perhaps a drug or alcohol dependency is.
Sexual Anorexia
Sexual anorexia is an obsessive behaviour in which the mental, emotional and physical task of avoiding sex consumes the individual's life. As with anorexia nervosa or compulsive dieting, depriving one's self of sex can make the individual feel powerful and in control; and as such, the preoccupation with the avoidance of sex can seem to eradicate one's life problems. The obsession then becomes a way of dealing with every stress. |
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For further information regarding treatment for a sex addiction, please feel free to contact one of our First4Rehab advisors. We are available on 0845 555 8822, 07875 154177 or 0044 (0) 20 7193 4906. Alternatively you can email us at advice@first4rehab.com
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