Unlike drug and alcohol use, sex is an activity that humans are biologically designed to engage in. This makes sex addiction a very difficult disorder to define and there is some controversy as to where to draw the line between normal sexual desire and sex addiction. Nonetheless, a sex addiction can be just as devastating to an addict and their family as alcohol or drug addiction. Individuals suffering from a sex addiction compulsively engage in sexual activity despite mounting negative consequences and very often loose their money, family, health, and reputation to this disease. A sex addiction can take many different forms and may involve prostitution, pornography, compulsive masturbation, lap dances, anonymous sex or any combination of these. Although a sex addiction does not involve the use of a substance, the fundamental characteristics of a sex addiction are very similar to any other type of addiction. Dr. Aviel Goodman has suggested that any behavior, including sex, that allows someone to escape from internal discomfort can be engaged in compulsively and can be described as an addiction when it has the following characteristics:

A. Recurrent failure to resist impulses to engage in a specified behavior.

B. Increasing sense of tension immediately prior to initiating the behavior.

C. Pleasure or relief at the time of engaging in the behavior.

D. At least five of the following:

1. Frequent preoccupation with the behavior or with activity that is preparatory to the behavior.

2. Frequent engaging in the behavior to a greater extent or over a longer period than intended.

3. Repeated efforts to reduce, control, or stop the behavior.

4. A great deal to time spent in activities necessary for the behavior, engaging in the behavior, or recovering from its effects.

5. Frequent engaging in the behavior when expected to fulfill occupational, academic, domestic or social obligations.

6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of the behavior.

7. Continuation of the behavior despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, financial, psychological, or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by the behavior.

8. Tolerance: need to increase the intensity or frequency of the behavior in order to achieve the desired effect, or diminished effect with continued behavior of the same intensity.

9. Restlessness or irritability if unable to engage in the behavior.

E. Some symptoms of the disturbance have persisted for at least one month, or have occurred repeatedly over a longer period of time.

The advent of internet pornography has had a significant impact on the prevalence of sex addiction. Although pornography has existed since pre-historical times, it has never been as easily accessible as it is now. The internet has also made pornography inexpensive, instantly available, and limitless, all characteristics which have proven to intensify it’s addictiveness.

If you think you or your loved one may have a sex addiction, please give us a call now or visit our contact page.

To learn more about treatment for sex addiction, please visit our sex addiction treatment page.