Sex addiction can be defined as the inability to control sexual urges and has therefore a huge negative impact on social relations and quality of life. Sex addiction has the same physiological characteristics as any other addiction. Since sexual behavior is usually associated with positive meanings, it can be difficult to recognize it as an addiction. However, looking at the definition we gave before, sex addiction implies an inability to control sexual urges: as a consequence, the person’s life is compromised, because this behavior interferes with relationships, work life and other social aspects of the individual’s daily life.
The compulsion is evident because the person cannot refrain himself/herself from sexual activity in spite of all the negative consequences that this behavior had previously led to.
SYMPTOMS
Although it has not yet been recognized as a psychiatric disorder, sex addiction is viewed by experts as behavioral pattern which manifest itself with recurring sexual fantasies, urges and promiscuous behaviors, a tendency to go forth with these behaviors in spite of negative consequences experienced, obsessive urge not to stop but to go on with the dangerous behavior despite feeling uncomfortable, seeking sexual activity when experiencing negative emotional states. Therefore, it is not the intense sexual activity that defines the addiction, but the loss of control that the person perceives when it comes to sexual activity.
The most common sexual practices that can end up being object of the addiction are:
- Pornography
- Compulsive masturbation
- Sex chats
- Prostitution
- Paraphylia (exhibitionism, fetishism, voyerism)
- Online sex
- Promiscuity
From a psychological point of view, the individual experiences obsessive sexual thoughts, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, shame for his/her own behavior, detachment from all the activities which are not sex-related.
Compulsive sexual behavior can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, feelings of guilt and mood disorders
EFFECTS
Sex addiction may cause severe financial struggles, because of the suspension of work, or impaired relationships, which may end up in divorces; just like for any other addiction. People who suffer from sex addiction are more prone to be sex offenders (exhibitionism, pedophilia, rape). If not adequately treated, compulsive sexual behavior can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, feelings of guilt and mood disorders.
CAUSES
What causes sex addiction is not clear yet. It is known, though, it activates the reward system of the brain: physiologically, the surviving mechanisms are activated which causes the behavior happening automatically.
In dysfunctional families or in people who have previously been sexually assaulted, the addiction seems to develop much more easily.
Sex addiction can develop also from various psychological disorders such as psychotic states. It also has much in common with obsessive compulsive disorder.
From a neurobiological point of view, dopamine is what makes the behavior pleasing, since dopamine is the neurotransmitter used by the reward system in the brain.
TREATMENT
Sex addiction treatment focuses both on a pharmaceutical and a psychotherapeutic approach. Some medications that are used are antidepressants, but opioids antagonists can be used too, because they reduce the pleasure linked to the compulsive behavior.
