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The term “sexual addiction,” can be best described as a progressive disorder involving intimacy which is characterized by compulsive sexual acts, thoughts and behavior. Like any form of addiction, it can have a negative impact on the person affected and on family members as the addiction grows and progresses. With time, an addict will experience an intensity level which requires more and more compulsive behavior to yield the same results.
For some people with sexualyllllll addiction, the behavior does not graduate beyond obsessive masturbation or pursing pornography, phone or computer sex chat lines. For more people who have a deeper addiction, behavior can involve illegal crimes such as exhibitionism, obscene phone calls, voyeurism, exposing genitalia, child pornography and molestation and rape. Some people with this type of addiction do not become sex offenders, and not all sex offenders are addicted to sex.
Sexual addiction is a very broad area and constantly studied to be better understood. Because society and the media has become more provocative, this has resulted in an increase of people experiencing issues with sexuality. The same types of compulsion that drive other addictions can be directly attributed to sex addiction as well. Unlike eating, sex is unnecessary for human survival and though some people are celibate by choice, some are not. Some reports have indicated that a lack of interest in sex or low interest denote a strong indication of medical or psychiatric problems.
There are several types of programs available to address the problems facing people with a sexual addiction. Because the addiction is more common among those with substance abuse issues, a dual diagnosis program is often the best treatment a person can receive for helping with both problems. Many chemical dependency programs now offer sex addiction assistance and treatment options because of how common dual diagnosis has become.
When looking for the best treatment program for sex addiction, a person needs to search for certain components which will show whether or not treatment would be advantageous. There should be a separate group which allows couples to work on intimacy issues, educational services about sex addiction which will answer questions and address compulsive behaviors, a disclosure process which is facilitated by a skilled staff, support for family members, focus on health issues surrounding a sex addiction and a continuing care plan in place once treatment concludes.
Unlike treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, the goal of treating sex addiction is not to advocate lifelong celibacy. The program should seek to find a successful way to help the addict terminate compulsive tendencies and unhealthy, risky sexual behaviors. Since it may be quite difficult for an addict to discern between healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors, it is common for an addiction program to encourage abstinence from any type of sexual behavior for the beginning phase of treatment. Abstaining will allow the treatment team and the addict to better understand the emotional precursors and circumstances which trigger sexual thoughts and compulsive sexual behavior.
The importance of treatment for a sexual addiction should never be taken lightly. Treatment for sex addiction needs to focus on two main goals, separating the addict from harmful sexual behavior and helping the addict face the shame, guilt and depression that is commonly associated with the problems. To successfully accomplish the two goals, an addict may need to seriously consider inpatient or residential treatment for a period of several weeks.
When an addict is in an inpatient treatment program, it is harder to relapse into compulsive sexual behaviors because sexual images and specific situations, people or triggers of the condition are completely removed. At times, a person can be successful with treatment at an outpatient facility provided with an adequate support network of family and spiritual advisors. No matter which type of treatment is chosen, if a successful outcome is desired, treatment is entirely necessary.
With all the temptations that exist in society today, it can be perplexing to think about the fact more definitive information is not known about treating sexual addiction. With the overabundance of information available and drug and alcohol treatment, those who have an addiction to sex may find it difficult to get information and help. However, this is not to say that programs and treatment are unavailable, having the right tools and information is essential for a person to reap the benefits of sex addiction treatment.
Part of the reason why researchers believe sex addiction information is lacking is because of a poor understanding of a disorder which is characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and behaviors, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Living in a society which is inundated with sexual literature, pornographic pictures and advertising and abounding provocative behaviors, it can be hard to discern between what behavior is normal and what is not. However, the psychiatric community is now applying knowledge learned about other forms of addiction and are rapidly becoming better educated about the various ways to treat sexual addiction.
While some medical professionals feel the term “sex addiction,” is an appropriate title for this type of problem, most all of them do agree that it is some type of symptomatic disorder or syndrome. Because it is difficult to diagnose a sex addiction, it is hard to accurately determine the prevalence of the disorder. Most educated estimates indicate approximately 3-6% of Americans suffer from some type of sex addiction.
Sexual addiction can affect both men and women, and both heterosexual and homosexual orientation. The disorder seems to be more common among the population of people who have other forms of addictive behavior as well, such as substance abuse. Sex addiction is entirely treatable and can be overcome. With the assistance of a qualified treatment team, medical professionals and the proper treatment program, a sex addict can find ways to avoid temptations and triggers, learn to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors and go on to live productive and normal lives once again.
