Sex & Porn Addiction
 The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” Rather than engaging in pleasurable acts of choice, sex addicts often feel driven.Although most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, in reality they are immersed in guilt and shame and consequently become increasingly more secretive as their sexual needs become more compulsive, and their sexual satisfaction more elusive. Sexual acts begin to require new variations and intensity as the increasing urge to reach the ultimate release heightens while realization of the satisfaction of the initial euphoric orgasm becomes more fleeting.Sexual abuse may also become a part of the scenario as the addiction progresses. Individually or in combination, the search for sexual satisfaction may broaden to include: compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation), multiple affairs that may include extra-marital affairs, multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one-night stands and unsafe sex, prostitution or use of prostitutes, consistent use of pornography, phone or computer sex (cybersex), obsessive dating through personal ads, exhibitionism or voyeurism (watching others) and/or stalking or sexual harassment and may finally result in molestation and rape.As scientific research continues, more will be learned about the brain chemistry involved in the sex addiction cycle, but current data classifies sex addiction as an arousal addiction because its effects on the brain are similar to the effects of cocaine, amphetamines, compulsive gambling, and risk-taking behaviors. In fact, it is not unusual for sexual addiction to simultaneously be accompanied by substance abuse and other addictions.Research also has found that sex addicts often come from dysfunctional families and are more likely than non-sex addicts to have been abused. One study found that 82 percent of sex addicts reported being sexually abused as children and described their parents as rigid, distant and uncaring. These families, including the addicts themselves, are also more likely to be substance abusers and one study found that 80 percent of recovering sex addicts reported some type of addiction in their families of origin.Unfortunately, it often takes a significant event such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest or a health crisis to force the addict to admit that a problem exists and to seek help.
YOU CAN RECOVER FROM ADDICTION Individualized, results-oriented treatment will enable you to heal from the trauma and live a balanced, stable emotional life. |
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