Getting Help for Sex Addiction

Learn how you can get help for sex addiction through White Sands Treatment Center

If you are struggling with obsessive thoughts and behaviors about sex, then getting help for sex addiction is the next logical step you should take. When sexual activity begins to interfere with your normal daily life and you are ignoring the consequences that it creates you will have to face the fact that you may be addicted to sex. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy claims that there are currently about 12 million sex addicts in the U.S. The good news is that sex addiction, just like any other addiction, can be treated with sex addiction therapy and rehab.

Some of the common terms for sex addiction are hyper-sexuality, nymphomania and hyper-sexual disorder. Sex addiction can be the behavioral expression of the addict’s attempt to relieve stress, anxiety, loneliness, pain and other factors. If hyper-sexual thoughts and behaviors last for more than six months it may be diagnosed as sex addiction. The sex addict’s compulsive thoughts, feelings and behavior about sex will begin to create problems with work, relationships, health and other areas of life. Sexual thoughts and behaviors can be considered normal and healthy, or the addict may fantasize about sexual activity that is considered to be abnormal, immoral or illegal.

Sex addiction should be diagnosed by a sex addiction specialist because other factors must first be ruled out, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bi-polar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, which can produce the same symptoms. Mental disorders may also co-occur with sex addiction too, so anyone seeking help for sex addiction should choose a sex addiction professional. There are different sex addiction symptoms that may help to identify someone as a sex addict, such as:

 

• A compulsion to engage in abnormal sexual activity
• Having intense sexual desires
• Using sexual behavior as a form of escape
• Having difficulty forming emotional connections
• Disregarding the negative consequences that the sexual activity produces

 

As with any addiction, sex addiction can manifest itself in a variety of forms and levels. The destructive behavior of the sex addict just adds to the other problems that he may already be struggling with.  Very often the sex addict is not aware of his problem because he does not view his sexual behavior as a problem. You may try talking with the addict about his problem so that he may seek sex addiction treatment or you may decide to hold an intervention to convince him to get help. Sex addiction has no discrimination but affects the young and old in every social class. Many teenagers get involved with sex addiction through pornography and about 80% of teens in the U.S. access pornography through the internet on a daily basis. Some of the devastating consequences of sex addiction among the young and old are:

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Relationship problems
• Anxiety
• Isolation
• Depression

The best form of sex addiction treatment is sex addiction therapy and rehab. One form of therapy is psychosocial group therapy treatment. Sex addicts attend group meetings to get support and also to fellowship with their peers who struggle with similar problems. The sex addict can take part in a rehab treatment program on an in or out-patient basis. The sex addiction treatment program will help the sex addict identify his behavioral triggers and manage them in an effective way that helps to break his sex addiction habits. Sex addiction therapy and rehab also includes cognitive behavioral therapy. This psychological approach helps the addict identify inner conflicts and destructive thought and behavior patterns. The sex addict begins to learn how to change dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors into healthy alternatives.

Sex addiction therapy and rehab should focus on the core problem of sex addiction. The sex addict should also receive aftercare treatment to offer him support so that he dose not relapse. If you are having difficulty managing your extreme sexual behavior, you can receive help for sex addiction and learn how to have a normal, healthy and balanced sex life.

Resources:

http://www.psychguides.com/guides/how-to-find-help-treating-a-sex-addict/

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.