Sexual Addiction
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KEY POINTS
- Sexual addiction is a pattern of sex that leads to serious personal, family, and health problems. You keep having sex even though you know that it is harmful to you or others or you can't stop when you try. Sexual addiction includes cybersex, pornography, and masturbation as well as sexual intercourse.
- Both therapy and medicines may be used to treat this disorder.
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What is sexual addiction?
Sexual addiction is a pattern of sex that leads to serious personal, family and health problems. It is also called hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). If you have CSB, you:
- Need more and more sex to get the same effects
- Lose control, which means you keep having sex even though you know that it is harmful to you or others or you can't stop when you try
- Feel anxious when you are not having sex
Examples may include:
- Masturbation
- Extramarital affairs
- Pornography
- Cybersex, phone sex, or paying for prostitutes even though you can’t afford it
- Having many sex partners and thinking of them as just objects to be used
What is the cause?
The exact cause of CSB is not known. Possible causes include:
- The brain makes chemicals that affect thoughts, emotions, and actions. Without the right balance of these chemicals, there may be problems with the way you think, feel, or act. People with this disorder may have too little or too much of some of these chemicals.
- Stress plays a part. You may be at higher risk due to problems such as abuse, financial stresses, or the loss of a relationship.
- Alzheimer’s disease or other kinds of dementia, medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease, or illegal drugs can cause compulsive sexual behavior.
- Problems in your family when you were growing up may increase your risk. For example, child abuse, lots of conflict in the family, or a family history of mental illness or CSB.
While not a cause, many people with CSB also have problems with major depression, substance use disorders, or impulse control problems such as compulsive gambling or shopping.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may include:
- Being unable to stop thinking about sex
- Needing to have sex more and more often
- Continuing to have sex even when you know it could cause serious problems to you or others such as HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
- Trying and failing to control, cut back, or stop having sex
- Feeling restless or in a bad mood when trying to control sexual urges
- Having legal, job, or relationship problems because of sex
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your relationships, family history of any medical and mental problems, and any substance abuse. He will also ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may be referred to a mental health therapist for treatment.
How is it treated?
Both therapy and medicines may be used to treat CSB. Several types of therapy may help.
- Behavior therapy helps you recognize that the way you act affects others. This can help you change problem behaviors.
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change views you have of yourself, the world, and the future. CBT can make you aware of unhealthy ways of thinking. It can also help you learn new ways to think and act.
- Couples therapy may help you decide what changes are needed in the relationship and in the behavior of each partner. Both partners then work to learn new behaviors.
Medicines may include hormones or medicines to correct the balance of chemicals in your brain. Both kinds of medicine help reduce sexual urges.
How can I take care of myself?
- Get support. Consider joining a support group in your area. Twelve-step sexual recovery programs can help. You can learn from others who have similar problems.
- Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax. For example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, or take walks. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
- Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you smoke, try to quit. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
- Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take. Take all medicines as directed by your provider or therapist. It is very important to take your medicine even when you are feeling and thinking well. Without the medicine, your symptoms may not improve or may get worse. Talk to your provider if you have problems taking your medicine or if the medicines don't seem to be working.
- Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
Get emergency care if you or a loved one has serious thoughts of suicide or harming others.
For more information, contact:
- Sex Addicts Anonymous
800-477-8191
https://saa-recovery.org/ - Sexaholics Anonymous
866-424-8777
http://www.sa.org - Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
800-977-HEAL
http://www.sca-recovery.org
