Sex Addiction Recovery

 It is estimated that 13 million adults, in the US alone, are affected by sexual addiction. Perhaps one of the least understood addictions, addicts suffer profound shame and eventually every aspect of their lives is adversely affected. Below are some potential signs that you, or someone you know, might have a sexual addiction.

• Chronic, obsessive sexual thoughts and fantasies
• Compulsive relations with multiple partners, including strangers.
• Lying to cover behaviors.
• Preoccupation with having sex, even when it interferes with daily life, productivity, work performance, etc.
• Inability to stop or control the behaviors.
• Putting oneself or others in danger due to sexual behavior
• Feeling remorse or guilt after sex
• Experiencing negative personal and professional consequences
• Spending money for pornography or sex
• Frequenting strip clubs or massage parlors
• Compulsive masturbation

 It was reported in 2021 that over 130 million people visit one of the main pornography websites every day. Why is porn addictive? Naturally occurring pleasure chemicals are released into the brain when someone views sexually charged images and has a release. It follows that whenever someone is depressed, angry, lonely, tired, feeling unloved, rejected or even simply uncomfortable, they may use sex and/or pornography to activate this "pleasure system high." The internet has been a game changer for the pornography industry and addiction is the natural byproduct of unchecked access and repetition. A progressive addiction, the more that is consumed the deeper the shame and the more embedded the cycle can be for the addict. Eventually every aspect of life will be negatively affected. Below are some potential signs that you, or someone you know, might have a problem with pornography.

• Guilt or shame following a session of viewing pornography.
• Many unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior no matter how sincere the effort.
• An excessive amount of time looking at and/or thinking about porn.
• Feeling guilty for being ineffective at work (when viewing porn at work or school)
• Your behavior has prevented you from having a healthy intimate relationship.
• You find yourself angry or defensive with people because of the guilt and shame that you carry.
• Your pornography use has led to other acting-out behaviors that you are not proud of
• Inability to have an orgasm without the use of pornography or fantasizing.