Sexual Addiction Symptoms, Causes, Effects, & Treatment

Sexual Addiction Symptoms

What is sexual addiction called? Sexual addiction (also called hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior) is an intense focus on sexual urges, fantasies, or activities that can’t be controlled and cause harm or distress to your relationships, health, career, or other aspects of your life.  It’s an overwhelming temptation or compulsion that’s so strong you feel that you have to have it. The craving for sex is similar to cravings felt for drugs or alcohol by those who have addictions to these substances. 

It is important to know that since sex addiction isn’t outlined in the DSM-5, there’s considerable controversy about what criteria constitute an addiction. One definition may be the “secrecy of behaviors”, in which the individual with compulsive sexual behavior becomes proficient at hiding their behavior and can even keep the condition secret from partners, spouses, and family members. They may lie about their sexual activities or engage in them at places and times where they won’t be found out.

But sometimes symptoms are present and noticeable. A person may have a sex addiction if they show some or all of the following signs:

• Obsessive, chronic, sexual fantasies and thoughts
• Compulsive sexual relations with multiple people, including strangers
• Lying to cover behaviors
• Preoccupation with having sex, even when it intrudes on daily life, productivity, work performance, and so on
• Inability to quit or control the behaviors
• Putting oneself or others in trouble due to sexual behavior
• Feeling remorse or guilt after sex
• Experiencing other negative personal or professional consequences

Compulsive sexual behaviors can weaken relationships, for instance, with the stress of infidelity — although some individuals may claim to have a sex addiction as a way to explain infidelity in a relationship.

It’s crucial to recognize that enjoying sexual activity is not a sign of sex addiction. Sex is a healthy human activity, and enjoying it is normal. Moreover, differences in the level of sexual interest between partners do not mean that one partner has a sex addiction.

What is Sexual Addiction?

Is sexual addiction real? Hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is commonly referred to as sexual addiction. Sexual addiction is characterized by the lack of control over sexual urges, thoughts, and impulses. While sexual impulses are natural, sexual addiction only refers to behaviors that are done in excess and significantly affect one’s life in a damaging way. 

Definition of Sexual Addiction: Sexual addiction as a condition is not formally accepted by all members of the medical community. Many mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), published by the American Psychiatric Association, as a guide for diagnosing mental health disorders. Because compulsive sexual behavior (hypersexuality ) doesn’t have its own diagnostic category in the DSM-V, it may be diagnosed as a subcategory of another mental health condition (DSM 5 sexual addiction), such as an impulse control disorder or a behavioral addiction.

Sexual Addiction Test

The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) is developed to help in the assessment of sexually compulsive or “addictive” behavior. Developed in cooperation with treatment programs, hospitals, sexual addiction therapists, and community groups, the SAST (sexual addiction quiz) provides a profile of responses that help to distinguish between addictive and non-addictive behavior. 

Sexual addiction isn’t an official diagnosis but that doesn’t mean sexual behavior can’t be problematic. Addiction is complex and can affect the brain. Understanding what’s normal and what’s not can be helpful since sexual behavior impacts relationships.

It’s important to mention that reckless, compulsive, or out-of-control sexual behavior can sometimes be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder such as bipolar disorder. Therefore it’s important to be evaluated if you are experiencing sexual addiction symptoms.

Am I Sexually Addicted?

Do I have a sexual addiction?? Your doctor or other mental health professionals can do a psychological evaluation to diagnose if you have a sexual addiction. This may involve answering questions about your: mental and physical health, as well as your overall emotional well-being. Sexual behaviors, thoughts, and compulsions are hard to control.

Can You Be Sexually Addicted to Someone?

Research suggests that it’s possible to become addicted to a person or a relationship. This is because the state of being in love, or lust, is inherently tied to powerful biochemical reactions in the brain. Lust and love produce chemicals in the brain’s reward center, including the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which promotes bonding and emotional connection.

How to Stop Sexual Addiction?

How to overcome sexual addiction? Some individuals are more susceptible to sexual addictions. Particularly, patients who have coped with mood disorders, and have had a history of sexual abuse, alcoholism, or drug abuse are more likely to develop sexual addictions. To combat addiction, first, determine whether you have a problem. Then examine options for treatment and personal change to help you recover.

Determine whether you have an addiction. 

Sexual addiction is not the same as having a strong sex drive. You might have a sexual addiction if you display persistent, escalating patterns of sexual behavior despite increasing adverse consequences for yourself and others. Examples include individuals who spend half their earnings on prostitutes or individuals who watch pornography at work despite warnings that they will lose their jobs. 

Decide whether you need professional help.

Some individuals with a hypersexual disorder or sexual addiction can treat their condition on their own through lifestyle changes. You have to ask yourself: can I manage my sexual urges? Am I distressed by my sexual behaviors? Is my sexual behavior hurting my relationships and work life, or leading to harmful consequences like arrest? Do I try to hide my sexual behavior? If you feel your condition is leading to damaging effects, seek professional help.

Look for a qualified mental health provider or a certified sexual addiction therapist.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, or sexual addiction counselors are all potential options.  It is preferable to find someone who has experience with sexual addiction counseling. Finding a “sexual addiction therapist near me” could help.

Discuss treatment plans with your sexual addiction counselor

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for sexual addiction. CBT is a goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment, which utilizes a hands-on, practical method of problem-solving. In CBT, you work with your therapist to change patterns of thinking or behavior with the goal of changing the way you feel.

Seek support from loved ones. 

Quitting a sexual addiction can be a lonely process. Even though your previous sexual activity might have lacked an emotional connection, you might miss the physical closeness. Spending time with loved ones will help you remember why you are quitting and commit to stopping.

Learn More:

•  Drug Abuse and Deviant Behavior
• Alcohol Abuse Information
• Effects of Heroin Abuse – Physical, Behavioral, Psychological, & Social
• The Link Between ADHD and Alcohol, Risks & Interactions
• Alcohol And Anxiety Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorder
• Substance Abuse Defined, Signs, Symptoms, Link to Mental Health
• Is Alcoholism a Mental Disease?
• What Is DBT Therapy? How It Works for Addiction & Techniques
• Behavioral Counseling in Drug Abuse Treatment Centers
• Benefits of Treating Drug Addiction

8%

A national survey of more than 2,000 adults found on average, more than 8 percent of them reported symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Source: NCBI

5%

Compulsive sexual behavior problems more common than major depression, which affects 5 percent of people. 

Source: NCBI

What Causes Sexual Addiction?

The causes of sexual addiction, long-term uncontrollable sexual urges, and behaviors are not well understood. Individuals of all ages may experience the condition for different reasons.

It’s probable that a combination of factors leads to compulsive sexual behaviors, including:

• Underlying or co-occurring mental health conditions
• Chemical imbalances in the brain
• Childhood traumas and experiences
• Childhood relationships with parents or guardians
• Other lifestyle influences

Not all possible causes of sexual addiction can be traced to underlying mental health conditions or trauma, though.

Why am I sexually addicted? Initial research suggests an imbalance of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, may also affect sexual behaviors. If a person has a frontal lobe lesion, tumor, or seizure disorder, they may also have a greater chance of experiencing hypersexuality.

Medications for Sexual Addiction

No prescription drugs are specifically approved to treat sexual addiction. However, medications that act on your brain’s “behavior and urge” chemicals and hormones that are prescribed for similar medical conditions can be tried. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications that are best suited for you, considering any other mental health conditions you may have.

• Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the first-line treatment for sexual addiction.
• Anti-androgens. These prescription drugs target male sex hormones. They’re useful in reducing obsessive thoughts. They might be tried in extreme cases of sexual acting out when behaviors are dangerous to others.
• Mood stabilizers. These drugs may be helpful if you have bipolar disorder with manic or impulsive features and when hypersexuality is a feature. Some examples include lithium, valproate (Depakote), and carbamazepine
• Anti-anxiety medications. These medications may be tried if sexual behavior is triggered by anxiety. Buspirone is one example that may be helpful.