The term sexual addiction is used to describe the behaviour of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or obsession with sex. Sexual addiction, also called sexual compulsion, is a form of psychological addiction.

 

Sex addictions are comparable to alcohol or drug addictions, in that sex functions like a drug and the behaviours surrounding the ‘drug use’ defines the addiction. It is common to hear definitions of alcoholism that describe the persons relationship with alcohol as pathological – it provides a quick mood change and the users loses control over their compulsion. Like alcoholics, sex addicts behaviours revolve around the constant desire for the drug of their choice, namely sex.

 

Sex addictions are further illustrated by outlining several key aspects of the addiction, these can include:

 

• Compulsivity, loss of the ability to choose freely whether to stop or to continue. Coupled with withdrawal – negative psychological thought process until behaviour is completed and withdrawal symptoms are temporarily relieved
• Continuation of the behaviour despite adverse consequences, such as loss of health, job, marriage or freedom. Addicts may start withdrawing from family life to pursue sexual activity. This withdrawal can manifest itself into neglect of partners and children and cause a break down in family units, all in order for the addict to satisfy their sexual desires
• Obsession with the activity. Sex addicts spend a disproportionate amount of time consumed by sexual thoughts. Sex addicts cannot stop themselves from thinking about sex. Fantasies, new ways of obtaining sex and previous sexual experiences are re visited frequently. Others areas of the addicts life are easily neglected, often with wholly negative consequences
• Tolerance - the need for markedly increased amount or intensity of the behaviour to acheive the desired effect

 

Despite the existence of organizations such as The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health, there is no consensus in the medical community about diagnosing sexual addictions. However, researchers have proposed a number of clinically relevant criteria for diagnosing sexual addictions that assess activities that are used as a way to manage mood and stress.

 

Sexual addictions are often seen in combination with other addictions, such as food, alcohol and drugs, and are also associated with other minor psychiatric disorders. Such disorders include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Narcissistic personality disorder and manic-depression. Traits of addiction can be confused with the symptoms of the aforementioned disorders, often due to clinicians not been adequately trained in diagnosis and characteristics of addictions, stressing the need to seek specialist and qualified clinical care.

 

Once conceptualised to be a largely male problem, it has been highlighted in recent research that sexual addictions are also prevalent in woman. This may be due to the explanation that sexual addicts behaviours revolve around the journey rather than the destination, i.e. it is not sexual gratification (once thought to be a wholly male motivator) that drives sexual addictions, rather a whole series of behaviours which result in actual sex.

 

Due to the complex nature of sexual addictions it is vital that sex addicts seek professional help in an in-patient treatment environment. A multifaceted treatment approach can help individual's with sex addictions gain control over their behaviour and learn strategies to keep their lives on track.