Are you beginning to feel like your sexual activity is taking over your life? If you’re engaging in sexual behavior that feels compulsive and harmful, then there is a strong likelihood that you are experiencing some form of sexual addiction.
What exactly is sex addiction?
Sex addiction is an intimacy disorder, characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors of a relationship/romantic/sexual nature.
Generally, sex addicts have trouble staying away from anonymous sexual experiences, pornography, risky sexual behavior, and a preoccupation with relationships, romance, and/ or sex.
Sometimes the compulsion can negatively affect their professional or social life, but it feels like it’s almost impossible to abstain for long periods of time. If you feel that you cannot stop even if you want to, then it’s a good idea to seek a professional trained in the treatment of sexual addiction.
For someone with a sex addiction, it can be normal to obsess about specific sexual acts or pleasures. Both men and women can experience sex addiction. A sex addict may compulsively seek out pornography, masturbation, sex-for-pay activities, multiple emotional/sexual relationships or anonymous sexual encounters. These activities tend to become more frequent as time progresses, and even though the addicts are aware of the risks, they find themselves unable to stop.
How do I know if I have an addiction?
Here are some situations that you may be struggling with if you’re addicted:
- You feel out of control.
- You engage in activities related to sex that you know you’ll regret later. You lose any regard for consequence.
- Even when you end up hurting someone you love or care about, you don’t feel capable of putting an end to the hurtful behavior.
- You find yourself lying about what you’re doing, where you’re going, and everything else. You’re unable to be honest with others because you feel that what you’re doing is wrong or shameful.
Click here to take a quiz that can help you figure out if you’re struggling with sex addiction.
Reach out for help today
If you or a loved one is looking for a way to gain victory over relationship/romance/sexual addiction, get in touch with J.D. Murphy today. He is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – Candidate. CSAT’s are the most noted and respected professionals in this field of treatment. You can reach out by phone or by filling out the contact form.