How to Find Help Treating a Sex Addict
Ad
PsychGuides independently researches, tests, and reviews products and services which
may benefit our readers. Where indicated by "Medically Reviewed by", Healthcare professionals review articles for
medical accuracy. If you buy something through our links, or engage with a provider, we may earn a commission.
Sex addicts have sex without regard to potential consequences. A sex addict often uses sex as a quick fix to relieve anxiety, loneliness, pain or other forms of stress, and this cycle has to last over six months before it can be diagnosed. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, there are approximately 12 million sex addicts in the United States. Fortunately, just like other addictions, there are various ways of dealing with sex addiction.
Understanding Sexual Compulsion
Understanding sexual compulsion is necessary if you are to deal with this addiction. Compulsive sexual behavior, also known as hypersexual disorder, nymphomania or hypersexuality, is a state where you are completely obsessed with sexual behaviors, thoughts or even feelings to the extent that the behavior interferes with work, health, relationships and other normal activities.
In some cases, the obsession involves a sexual activity or behavior that is normally healthy and enjoyable. In a few cases, the obsession involves fantasies about abnormal sexual behaviors that are generally considered immoral or illegal. Irrespective of the nature of the obsession, sexual compulsion can ruin your life. If you want help to break free from sexual addiction, give us a call at .
How to Diagnose Sex Addictions
Not everybody knows how to diagnose sex addictions. It may not be easy to diagnose sexual addiction because some people generally use the term to denote all kinds of sex activities. For this reason, the diagnosis should be handled by a sex addiction professional. The professional should rule out other factors that may be causing the symptoms of nymphomania. Some conditions that can produce the same symptoms as nymphomania include drug abuse and different mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The problem is compounded by the fact that you can have both of these conditions concurrently.
Don't Face This Alone. Professional Online Therapy Can Help You.
How to Recognize a Sex Addict
It is not easy to know how to recognize a sex addict. There are several sex addiction symptoms, however, that you can use to determine whether you or one of your loved ones is grappling with sexual addiction. Some of these symptoms include:
- Intense sexual impulses.
- Drive for abnormal sexual activities.
- Difficulty forming emotional connections.
- Using sex as an escape behavior.
- Disregarding the consequences of sexual activities.
Sexual addiction manifests itself in different degrees and forms, just like drug addiction. In some cases, only a few of the symptoms above may be discernable. All the same, sex addicts continue with their destructive behaviors irrespective of the consequences. Often, people start their addictions as a means of coping with different problems, but the addictions go on to perpetuate a cycle of the same problems they wanted to cope with initially. Thus, you need to seek treatment as soon as any of these symptoms start to manifest. Give us a call at for assistance with this problem.
Steps You Can Take to Help Someone With Sex Addiction
Just like other addicts, some sex addicts may not even be aware of their problem, and seeking help is not always easy. That is why you should know the steps you can take to help someone with sex addiction.
Talking to Someone With Sexual Addictions
The first thing you need to do is to talk to the person you suspect to be struggling with sex addiction. When talking to someone with sexual addictions, you should remember that it is often not easy for an addict to talk about their problems. Unfortunately, nobody can recover without admitting that they have a problem. Do not be too critical, but try relating to the person’s issues.
Adolescents and Teens
Sexual addiction afflicts people of all ages and social statuses, including adolescents and teens. Most teenagers initially get into sexual addiction via pornography. According to Internet Safety 101(R), 80 percent of American 16-year-old teens access pornographic materials online on a regular basis. The consequences of sexual compulsiveness in kids are roughly the same as those for adults, and they include:
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Isolation.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Relationship and personal problems.
Learning to Cope With Sex Addiction
If you are suffering from sex addiction, chances are high that you think you cannot break the habit on your own. The good news is that there is an effective approach you can take to deal with your addiction. In learning to cope with your sexual addiction, you should refuse to be bogged down by any past failures you might have. You have to be honest with yourself and make an effort at getting treatment. Why not contact us today at for help?
How to Treat Sex Addicts
For years, people have grappled with the problem of how to treat sexual addicts. Currently, there are different forms of treatments available, but most of them include psychosocial and pharmacotherapy techniques. Psychosocial treatment involves group therapy, where addicts attend group sessions where they get support and fellowship. Outpatient and inpatient treatment programs tend to focus on identification of the behavioral triggers. This helps patients in learning how to make better choices, to cope with their addiction and generally to break their habits.
There are also individual psychotherapy programs for sex addicts, most of them taking the psychodynamic psychotherapy approach or the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. CBT mirrors the treatment options of drug abuse programs while psychodynamic psychotherapy deals with the major conflicts that trigger these dysfunctional sexual behaviors. Some medications may be useful in dealing with sexual addiction, but it is up to an addiction treatment professional to determine which ones are suitable for use by each individual. To know more about these medications and if you have any other sex addiction-related questions, just give us a call at .
Deciding Between Sex Addiction Solutions
A good treatment program should focus on the core issue – sexual addiction. Addicts or their loved ones should focus on rehabilitation groups being handled by professionals with experience in sexual addiction. It is also good if the solution incorporates a continuing care plan for those who have left the program so chances of a relapse are reduced.
Where to Find Sex Addiction Treatment for a Friend or Family Member
If you are like most people, then you have no idea where to find sex addiction treatment for a friend or a family member. The level of severity of the addiction and the available treatment facilities, as well as the addict’s motivation to change, are some of the factors you need to take into account while looking for a treatment center. There are inpatient as well as outpatient sex addiction treatment facilities, self-help groups, family/couples counseling centers and even drug therapy options. All these can be beneficial, but you may not know how to identify the right option for your friend or family member. We can help. Give us a call today at , and we can help you find an appropriate sexual addiction treatment facility.
