Although it is not officially recognized as a mental health disorder, an addiction to sex is possible. A sex addiction means not being able to control your sexual impulses or behaviors, which often leads to repetitive urges and behaviors that impact your family, job, and other areas of life.
Sex addiction is not recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). However, compulsive sexual behavior disorder is listed in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
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What Is Sex Addiction?
Sex addiction occurs when your sexual urges and behaviors become the main focus of your life. Because sex takes up so much time and attention, people addicted to sex often neglect other aspects of their lives, such as:
- Job and career prospects
- Raising children
- Relationships
- Physical health
People with sex addiction cannot stop their behavior even when they try, in much the same way that people with a substance use disorder or a gambling addiction have trouble changing their patterns. They often need professional help. While there is still some debate over the topic, sex addiction may also be considered a type of impulse control disorder or compulsive behavior.
A Word From Verywell
Sex addiction doesn’t look the same in everyone. In general, it encompasses compulsive or excessive sexual behaviors that negatively affect someone’s relationships and other aspects of their life. People with sexual addiction also have a difficult time stopping their behaviors.
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Behavioral Examples
People with sex addiction often take typical sexual behavior, like frequently masturbating or watching pornography, to such an extreme that it has consequences in other areas of their lives. People addicted to sex are not able to stop despite the consequences of these behaviors.
The behaviors that may be associated with sex addiction include:
- Having frequent sexual partners
- Masturbating
- Paying for sex or sexual content, including online or in a strip club
- Watching pornography
Some of these behaviors can be considered part of a healthy sex life. These behaviors are a sign of sex addiction if they negatively impact your relationships, health, or finances.
Psychological Effects
People addicted to sex often engage in sexual activity as a way to cope with life events that make them feel angry or sad. They try to stop or change their sexual behaviors but are often unable to do so. This can contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety, which can cause a person to further act out sexually.
Relationship Effects
The compulsive, repetitive nature of sexual behaviors and impulses takes a toll on relationships for people addicted to sex. People with sex addiction might find that their behaviors impact their:
- Career: Missing work to satisfy sexual desires, consuming inappropriate content at work, and other issues
- Finances: Especially if a person is paying a large amount of money for sex or sexual content, including online content
- Marriage: Including infidelity and not respecting marital boundaries
Potential Causes and Risk Factors
Experts are still studying sex addiction to learn more about the causes and risk factors. While there are no clear causes for sex addiction, risk factors that can increase the likelihood of it include:
Research shows that personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are the most common co-occurring mental illness among people with sex addiction. The vast majority of people with sex addiction also have another mental health disorder.
Sex addiction can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, including:
Coexisting Addictions
People with substance use disorder are at a higher risk of having a sex addiction.
Therapy for Sex Addiction
Treatment for sex addiction involves helping people recognize their triggers and cope with them in a healthy way. A person addicted to sex should be in therapy while also treating any underlying health conditions, like depression or anxiety. Treatment options include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): People with sex addiction learn how to recognize their harmful thoughts and urges and replace these behaviors with healthier options. CBT can also help people prevent relapses and return to treatment if they do relapse.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy: Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps people develop better self-regulation and can assist them in rebuilding relationships. It addresses the underlying reasons for sex addiction, including trauma.
- 12-step programs: Programs like Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) rely on a support group dynamic focused on living life in recovery.
- Couples therapy: Couples therapy can help rebuild trust within a partnership that’s been damaged by sex addiction. It’s often done alongside individual therapy for both partners.
Additional Treatments
While therapy is the first-line treatment for sex addiction, some healthcare providers also recommend using medications to treat it in severe cases. These can also help with underlying mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders that make sex addiction worse. If you’re interested in medication for sex addiction, working with an experienced psychiatrist is essential.
No medication is explicitly designed for treating sex addiction. However, medication for other conditions can be used, including:
- Antiandrogens: A testosterone blocker
- Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate): A hormonal treatment
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): A class of antidepressants
Help for Partners of Sex Addicts
Watching your loved one or partner struggle with sex addiction can be extremely difficult. It can impact your own sex life and feelings of self-worth. Individual and couples therapy can help you cope with the impacts of sex addiction and decide what course of action is right for you and your partner.
Support groups for partners can also help. Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the family members of people with substance use disorder, but it often includes the partners of people with sex addiction and other behavioral addictions. S-Anon is a similar support group specifically for the family and friends of people addicted to sex. These groups hold meetings in person, online, and by phone. They also offer options for teens who are impacted by a parent’s or other loved one’s sex addiction.
Summary
Sex addiction is an inability to control sexual urges or behaviors. People with sex addiction have repetitive sexual behaviors that begin to have a negative impact on their health, jobs, and families.
Despite that, they are often not able to change their behaviors without professional help. CBT, other forms of psychotherapy, and certain medications can treat sex addiction. Support groups for people with sex addiction and their partners can be helpful, while couples therapy can rebuild trust.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges that sex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
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Understanding Sex Addiction: Key Insights and Treatment Options
Defining Sex Addiction
Sex addiction is characterized by an overwhelming compulsion to engage in sexual behavior that disrupts day-to-day life. While not formally classified as a mental health disorder, its impact can be profound, akin to issues faced in substance use disorders.
Clinical Perspectives and Recognition
Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) does not recognize sex addiction as a distinct disorder, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) identifies compulsive sexual behavior disorder as a relevant diagnosis.
Common Characteristics of Sex Addiction
Individuals grappling with sex addiction often find that sexual urges overtake their lives. This preoccupation can lead to the neglect of important areas, such as:
- Career advancement
- Family responsibilities
- Personal relationships
- Overall physical health
Just like those with substance use disorders, individuals with sex addiction often struggle to control their impulses, even when they are aware of the negative consequences. Professional intervention is usually necessary for effective recovery.
Behavioral Patterns
Typical behaviors associated with sex addiction include:
- Engaging with multiple sexual partners
- Excessive masturbation
- Paying for sexual activities or content
- Regular consumption of pornography
While some behaviors may be deemed normal in healthy contexts, they become concerning when they harm a person’s relationships, health, or financial well-being.
Psychological and Relational Impacts
Emotional Consequences
Sex addiction may serve as a coping mechanism for individuals dealing with emotional turmoil such as anger or sadness. This behavior often exacerbates feelings of anxiety or stress, which can prompt further compulsive actions.
Effect on Relationships
The repetitive nature of addictive sexual behaviors often strains interpersonal relationships. Areas particularly affected include:
- Workplace Dynamics: Absenteeism due to sexual urges or engaging in inappropriate behavior at work.
- Financial Stability: Incurring significant expenses from engaging with sexual services.
- Marital Integrity: Breaches of trust, including infidelity.
Potential Causes and Risk Factors
Research into sex addiction is ongoing, but several potential causes and risk factors have been identified. Notably, personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, frequently co-exist with sex addiction. Moreover, individuals with other addiction issues are also at higher risk.
Therapeutic Approaches
Effective treatment for sex addiction often involves psychotherapy aimed at identifying triggers and establishing healthier coping mechanisms. Key therapeutic options include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A method to recognize and alter harmful thoughts and behaviors.
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Focuses on achieving better self-regulation while addressing underlying traumas.
- 12-Step Programs: Group dynamics like those in Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) provide community support.
- Couples Therapy: Aims to rebuild trust and communication in affected partnerships.
While therapy is the primary approach, medications can be considered in severe cases, particularly when underlying mental health issues like depression complicate the addiction.
Support for Partners
Supporting a partner with sex addiction presents its unique challenges, potentially affecting one’s own mental well-being and self-esteem. Both individual and couples therapy can facilitate coping strategies, while support groups like Al-Anon and S-Anon provide platforms for shared experiences.
Conclusion
Sex addiction is marked by an inability to manage sexual impulses, leading to detrimental effects on various life facets. Addressing this issue typically requires professional help, including therapies and support groups. Healing is attainable, and coupled support systems can foster recovery.
