5 Signs of Sex Addiction That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
Today’s American culture has changed in profound ways compared to decades past, especially in matters concerning sex and sexuality. Gone are the days where vows of chastity determined a person’s status and character.
These cultural changes have created a widespread acceptance of sexual activity along with increased access and availability of sexual rewards, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. For some people, these conditions have opened up a Pandora’s Box of sorts, setting lose impulses that they’re unable to control.
Much like any other form of compulsive behavior, sex addiction can quickly take over a person’s life and create serious problems along the way. Knowing what signs to look for can help you determine whether sex addiction has become an issue in your day-to-day life.
For information on sex addiction treatment programs, call our toll-free helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) .
5 Signs of Sex Addiction
1. Compulsive Sexual Activity
A sex addict will engage in this behavior despite negative consequences.
A compulsion or obsession acts as a driving force in a person’s life. Likewise, compulsive sexual activity takes on a life of its own.
With compulsive behaviors, a person will continue to engage regardless of any negative consequences that result, be it lost relationships, work conflicts or sexually transmitted disease. This is a key sign of sex addiction.
2. Using Sex as an Escape
People who lack healthy coping skills tend to seek out ways of escaping from relationship conflicts, work pressures and daily life stressors in general. Someone with a predisposition towards sexual activity may well engage in sexual behaviors in an attempt to cope with life’s problems.
3. Loss of Time
Whether a person veers towards pornography, sexual encounters or fetishes, these pursuits can take up a considerable amount of time. When sex addiction develops, addicts reach a point where they’re planning their day around sexual exploits.
In effect, the longer a sex addiction goes untreated the more time a person will invest in feeding the addiction.
Why Are Mental Illness and Addiction Co-Occurring Disorders?
Both mental illness and addiction develop out of chemical imbalances in the brain, which then work to fuel and exacerbate one another.
4. Intimacy Problems
According to the journal of Psychiatry, someone living with sex addiction likely has a warped perspective on how healthy intimate relationships should be. In effect, the personas and activities that make-up a lifestyle that’s centered on sex create unrealistic expectations of what comprises a satisfying sexual relationship.
For people who are married or in exclusive relationships, a sexual addiction can take a tremendous toll in terms of the amount of secrecy, deception and violations of trust that addiction behavior breeds.
5. Feelings of Shame and Guilt
It’s not uncommon for people struggling with sex addiction to experience ongoing feelings of shame and guilt regarding their behavior. Considering how there’s no addictive substance involved, someone who engages in compulsive sexual activity may well be perceived as depraved or lacking in moral character rather than suffering from addiction’s effects.
As a result, sex addicts tend to experience a deeper level of guilt and shame than people addicted to alcohol or drugs.
If you suspect you or someone you know may be struggling with sex addiction, we can help. Call our helpline at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) to ask about sex addiction rehab options.
