What is sexual addiction, and what are its types?
In the U.S., over 30 million people suffer from sexual addiction. This condition, also known as hypersexuality, sexual dependency, or compulsive sexual behavior disorder, involves an excessive preoccupation with sexual thoughts or behaviors. Individuals with sexual addiction spend an inordinate amount of time engaging in or thinking about sexually addictive behaviors.
Examples of sexual behavioral addictions:
- Easily accessible behaviors: one-night stands, multiple affairs, contact with prostitutes, viewing pornography, or compulsive masturbation.
- Less accessible (paraphilic) behaviors: fetishism, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and pedophilia. These involve arousal by unconventional objects or actions.
Statistics:
- A small percentage of college-aged individuals suffer from sex addiction at any given time.
- Approximately 12 million adults in the general population are affected by sex addiction.
Causes and Risk Factors
Sexual addiction arises from a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Changes in brain chemicals and areas involved in compulsion can lead to sexual addiction. Risk factors include:
- Psychological: Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, learning disabilities.
- Social: Social isolation, insecurity, impulsivity, compulsivity, relationship instability, emotional coping difficulties.
- Biological: History of other addictions increases the risk of developing sexual addiction.
Symptoms
Sex addicts display a pattern of negative sexual behavior causing significant distress or problems, such as:
- Increased need for the behavior to achieve the desired effect (tolerance)
- Withdrawal symptoms when unable to engage in the behavior
- Spending more time on the behavior than planned
- Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop the behavior
- Neglecting important social, work, or school activities
- Continuing the behavior despite physical or psychological harm
Diagnosis
Diagnosing sexual addiction involves comprehensive medical, family, and mental health evaluations. Mental health professionals may use quizzes or self-tests as screening tools and perform physical examinations and lab tests to rule out other conditions.
Treatment
Therapy and Support Groups:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify triggers and control behaviors.
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Addresses emotional developmental difficulties from childhood.
- Inpatient or intensive outpatient programs for severe cases.
- Self-help recovery groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous.
Medications:
- SSRIs: Such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft) to reduce compulsive urges.
- Mood Stabilizers: Like carbamazepine (Tegretol) and divalproex sodium (Depakote) for impulsive behaviors.
- Naltrexone: Decreases sexual compulsions and arousal, useful for those seeking celibacy.
Side Effects of SSRIs:
- Mild: Nausea, diarrhea, agitation, insomnia, headache.
- Sexual side effects: Decreased libido, delayed orgasm.
- Rare: Serotonergic syndrome (high fever, seizures, heart rhythm disturbances).
Side Effects of Mood Stabilizers:
- Mild: Sleepiness, stomach upset.
- Serious: Low white blood cell count (Tegretol), severe autoimmune symptoms (Depakote, Lamictal).
Prognosis
The outcome for sexual addiction varies based on factors such as the type of addiction and the presence of other mental health issues. Poor prognosis indicators for sexual offenders include multiple offenses, low empathy, and violent sexual fantasies.
Complications
Sexual addiction can lead to severe complications, including:
- Medical: Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B/C).
- Occupational: Decreased work performance, legal issues like sexual harassment or rape.
- Financial: Debt from behaviors, engaging in illegal activities.
- Emotional: Guilt, shame, broken relationships, divorce.
Prevention
Enhancing self-esteem and self-image is crucial in preventing sexual addiction. Preventive measures for internet addiction, such as educating children, monitoring computer use, and addressing emotional problems, can also help prevent sexual internet addiction.
