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What is 'sex addiction', exactly?
Sex addiction is a very real, sometimes debilitating, condition. It's often defined as having a "pathological relationship with a mood-altering experience." If you are suffering from sex addiction and think you're alone, think again. Statistics show that up to 37 million people in the US alone struggle with sex addiction. Any type of compulsive sexual behavior can have a significant impact on your mental and physical health, so it's important to understand how it may present, and how and where to get help.
Some people also refer to sexual addiction as sexual dependency or sexual compulsivity. Regardless of the name, this type of compulsive behavior takes over the person's entire life. Sexual addicts prioritize sex over everything else, even their closest relationships, school, and professional duties. It becomes the driving force in their life, and they're willing to give up what they hold most dear to continue their unhealthy behavior. If you are suffering from a sexual addiction, you may experience patterns of out-of-control sexual behavior that can be incredibly challenging to overcome, but the good news is therapy for these issues works. There is hope and healing on the other side.
That makes sense, but how do I know if I have a problem?
You may have found yourself asking "Am I a sex addict?" or "Am I addicted to porn?" While that isn't a question that can be answered in an article, some examples of sexual addiction issues include:
- Feeling unable to resist engaging in sexual behaviors or using pornography, even when it may be harmful
- Continuing to engage in problematic sexual or pornographic behavior despite trying to quit or cut back
- Prioritizing sexual encounters or viewing pornographic material over work, school, or other responsibilities
- Engaging in dangerous sexual practices or exposing oneself to potential harm
- Utilizing prostitution or anonymous sex
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable when not engaging in some sort of sexual behavior
It is essential to understand that there is no single number of partners, or a specific sex act that 'qualifies' your behavior as sex addiction. It is the realization that the behavior provides the “high” needed to feel normal, regardless of the consequences of the behavior.
I want to break this cycle of addiction. What's next?
Similar to other addictions, sexual addiction exhibits common traits such as a recurring battle to regulate one's conduct, leading to an overwhelming feeling of despondency when relapse happens. With each relapse, self-worth tends to decline, fueling the urge to seek refuge in addictive tendencies. Powerlessness is a significant aspect of addiction. At Apex, we tackle these patterns and support clients in managing symptoms as they do the work to heal. Lowering the intensity of your symptoms allows you space to reveal the underlying causes of addictive behaviors, and confront past traumas.
We are committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for you to do this tough, yet rewarding work. We have also curated a community of people who are on the same journey as you, by way of group therapy. We believe that recovery isn't just about addressing external behaviors, but also delving into the root causes of those behaviors. Our goal is to help you gather the strength to confront challenging issues like grief and emotional trauma. We'll also provide you with actionable tools that not only help you feel better, but also help you maintain significant reduction of your symptoms ultimately leading you down the path to your recovery.