Sex addiction is often treated as a joke or an excuse. But even though it isn’t a ‘formal diagnosis,’ it is a genuine, complicated, and potentially damaging condition. As with other addictions, many individuals who struggle with sex or porn addiction report a strong desire to change their behaviors and stop addictive processes.
More importantly, although its diagnosis is difficult – it is a condition that is much more common than you might think. Some research has suggested that it is as common as other addiction like alcohol addiction.
What is Sex Addiction?
Leaving aside the controversy, sex addiction (which is also known as hypersexuality or out-of-control sexual behavior) can take on many different forms. It can encompass an addiction to pornography, excessive masturbation, voyeurism, prostitution, and so on.
At its core, sex addiction is the compulsive need to engage in sexual arousal to avoid more profound emotional pain. This behavior is often done to the point where it disrupts and interferes with the addict’s day-to-day life. It should be noted that engaging our sexuality is entirely normal and healthy. Sex addiction is when sexual escape has taken over your life, becomes a major priority so that it becomes problematic or even harmful.
Technically sex addiction can affect anyone, but if you have a traumatic past, preexisting addiction, or other mental health issues, you could be at a higher risk.
So Exactly How Common is Sex Addiction?
Because of the controversy surrounding sex addiction, the stigma around it, and the difficulty of diagnosing it, it is not easy to pin down exactly how many cases exist. However, it is safe to say that it is more common than you might think.
Arguably the most in-depth study was a 2014 review in the Current Pharmaceutical Design that explored the various studies on sex addiction. It estimated that the condition affected anywhere from 3% to 6% of people across the world. This is similar to alcoholism and other drug addictions.
To put it simply, if you’re concerned that you may have a sex addiction, try not to feel ashamed as you’re certainly not alone. There are people who understand and can help. Try not to let shame keep you from seeking support to change your life.
I Have Sex Addiction – Now What?
Assuming you already recognize that you have a problem with sex addiction, you’ve already taken an essential first step. But the next step you need to consider is just as crucial: Seek help.
Sex addiction is not a condition that you can treat on your own. Your best option is to look for doctors and therapists who specialize in treating it and can provide you with various options to cope. An excellent place to start would be by contacting Novus Mindful Life because they are known to specialize in sex and porn addiction, and even provide teletherapy sessions. Many of our professional staff are Certified Sex Addiction Therapists or CSAT and have a lot of experience in helping people with these problems.
If you are willing to seek help and get the treatment that you need, it is possible to overcome sex addiction. However, if you aren’t, your condition will likely deteriorate and become riskier and costlier as time goes by.
Novus Mindful Life offers teletherapy for sex addiction.
Call 562-431-5100 to schedule a session of online or phone therapy and start your road to recovery.