Sex Addiction Treatment & Care

Compulsive thoughts and behaviors that are meant to satisfy urges related to sexuality are characteristics of sex addiction. 

It is a disorder that results in excessive masturbation, promiscuity, obsession with pornography, inappropriate sexual desires for children, and even rape. Therapy and treatment can dramatically help. This form of addiction is no different than alcohol and drug addiction.

 The Symptoms of Addiction to Sex

The addict is preoccupied with thoughts and activities that are sexual in nature.  They become preoccupied with sex. The cravings and urges are always with them. No different then an addict who is seeking their next fix.

The addict become more promiscuous as the addiction becomes more chronic. They may become more reclusive and isolating as the disease becomes more progressive. If the person may become more irritable and moody if they cannot be satisfied.

The Issue of Sex Addiction Denial

Most people who are afflicted with this addiction are not aware that it is unhealthy. Families can be torn apart if the addiction is not treated in time. The addict, in most cases, is in denial. They have no idea that they are a sex addict.

Addicts will not seek help unless they have hit bottom. Fear, guilt, embarrassment may make the addict seek help. Not until they feel physical, emotional, social, legal or financial consequences will they seek help. 

Most programs on sex addiction treatment are patterned from the principles of the book entitled “Out of the Shadows” by the author Patrick Carnes. This book contains the diagnostic criteria for sex addiction and its different stages. Treatment can only be successful if the person wants help. Like any addiction, if the addict goes into treatment to get their family off their back the therapy will most likely fail.

WebMD says that treatment is geared towards placing sexual behavior under control and aiding the addict towards the development of healthy sexuality. It involves education, counseling, and family therapy. Treatment may be done with the guidance of an addiction treatment professional or through self-help programs.Read more

Self-help Programs for Sex Addiction Treatment

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), and Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) are among the 12-step recovery programs that are gaining popularity. The participants are separated according to gender so that they would be more comfortable in talking about their issues and expressing their feelings. Each of these 12-step recovery programs has its own methods of helping the participants to remain sober and to attain recovery.The first one, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), provides the addict freedom to define sobriety in their own terms. Therapy introduces solutions to both behavioral and emotional problems related to the addict’s sexuality.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous helps the participants in maintaining a healthy relationship that is based on commitment. The behavioral problems addressed in this 12-step program range from dependency to obsession and compulsions related to sex.

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), has predefined sexual sobriety for the participants. Throughout the program, the participants maintain abstinence from all form of sexual activity.

If their main problem is their addiction to pornography, then the goal of their abstinence from all forms of sexual activity is to get rid of porn addiction. It is not just porn that they have to abstain from to achieve their goal.

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), the participants are allowed to determine their own sex sobriety standards.  Throughout the 12-step program, the participants abstain from the behaviors they have identified as unhealthy. The unhealthy behaviors are those associated with compulsion and destruction. They also reinforce the behaviors that were identified as healthy. These healthy behaviors are characterized by acceptance and faithfulness.

Grey areas are also defined. They are neither destructive nor acceptable but have the tendency to drive the addict back towards unhealthy behavior. Some examples are communicating with people with whom that person had previous sexual relationships, or if they are placed in vulnerable situations..

Sexual Addiction Therapy For Women – From The Web

Psychcentral.com provides some of the unique obstacles that face women with sex addiction therapy. Although sexual addiction experts have shared anecdotal evidence from the field, there is not yet a formalized process for identifying, diagnosing and treating women who struggle with sexual addiction. Consequently, there is little to no research on women who sexually act out—a fact most prominently noted by Dr. Marty Kafka when preparing the proposed DSM-5 hypersexuality diagnosis for the American Psychiatric Association.

Residential programs with addiction therapy professionals are an important asset towards a successful recovery. One to one, group, holistic, alternative and animal therapy provide the addict with options. If one therapy does not work another will. Medications may also be used for people with a co-occurring disorder. Addicts with a co-occurring disorders are usually obsessive-compulsive or bipolar.

Sex addiction is as serious a matter.  Do not be embarrassed to come forward. This is a disease and should be treated as such. If you or your partner has a sexual addiction call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-515-5032. All calls are private and confidential.