What Is Sex Addiction Treatment And Does It Work?
Sex addiction, also sometimes called hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior, typically involves having excessive sexual thoughts, desires, urges, or behaviors that are difficult to control, cause distress, or harm various aspects of your life. Many people experience sex addiction, with estimates showing that it affects approximately 3% to 10% of the general population in the United States.
Below, we’ll explore the various treatment options for individuals experiencing a sex addiction.
Common treatment options
Sex addiction is commonly treated through therapy, medication, support groups, or a combination of these three options. If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms of sex addiction, the following treatment methods may be effective:
Therapy
Therapy is a common treatment for sex addiction. Through therapy, you can work with a licensed therapist to find ways to manage your behaviors and address possible triggers. Two common types of therapy that may be used for sex addiction are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (which is a type of CBT). Different therapists may use different methods or use a variety of approaches, depending on the individual.
Some therapists specialize in helping people with sex addiction and understand what may cause these addictions to form. One person’s sex addiction may not necessarily be the same as another person’s sex addiction, so treatment options can be tailored to the individual.
A therapist may help you cope with your urges while helping you find ways to promote positive mental health. Regular therapy sessions may also help you feel stronger and develop better mental health habits in general.
It may help to remember that improvement does not always happen overnight. It often takes time and patience to work with a therapist to manage your concerns, but many people have overcome sex addiction with the help of a therapist.
Medication
Certain medications may also be used to help individuals who are experiencing a sex addiction. Medications may help by acting on brain chemicals linked to obsessive thoughts and behaviors, and they may reduce sexual urges in some people. The medications prescribed for sex addiction are typically primarily prescribed for other conditions, but they may be helpful for sex addiction as well. Medications that are often prescribed for sex addiction include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-androgens, and Naltrexone.
Not everyone who has a sex addiction is prescribed medication, but there are instances where medication can be useful. Also, some people with sex addiction may also have other mental health conditions, so it can be important to keep those in mind when determining a treatment approach. To determine what might be the best approach for you, you can speak with a doctor for guidance and mention any medications you may be taking.
Support groups
Self-help support groups are also often used to help people with sex addiction. One of the basic premises of these groups is often that there are steps to recovery, and going through these steps may help you to find success. Joining a support group may help you learn more about sex addiction and find support from other people with similar challenges.
It may be best to use a support group as an additional treatment option in combination with therapy or medication, rather than as the sole treatment. If you speak with a therapist, they might even recommend a specific addiction support group to you if you’re interested in trying one.
Do treatments work?
The effectiveness of different treatment options may vary from one individual to the next, but as the Cleveland Clinic notes, sex addiction “can be effectively managed” when an individual recognizes the addiction and wants to find relief. Those who commit to the process may find ways to manage this condition and lead a more fulfilling life.
How online therapy can help
There can sometimes be feelings of shame or guilt around sex addiction, so the thought of seeking help in person may feel intimidating. For some people, being able to talk with an online therapist about sex addiction from the comfort of home may feel less intimidating. With online therapy, you can connect with a licensed therapist via audio, live chat, or videoconferencing—or a combination of methods. You can also reach out to your therapist any time in between sessions through in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. This may prove helpful if you experience urges or have questions in between therapy sessions.
Online therapy has been shown to be an effective option for individuals with addictions. For instance, one study published in Clinical Psychology Review conducted a systematic review of internet-based therapy for addictions. The review “concluded that Internet-based therapies for addictions are effective in achieving positive behavioral changes but that more research is required to determine the comparative effectiveness of various Internet-based therapies and their components.”
Takeaway
How can I overcome my sex habit?
Several strategies may aid in managing compulsive sexual behaviors. Speaking with mental health professionals may be helpful for diagnosing mental health conditions that could be contributing to the behavior. A mental health specialist may also be able to recommend a treatment plan to fit your needs. In addition, you might consider seeking out a support group, like SAA, to connect with others over mutual experiences.
Other strategies for overcoming compulsive sexual behavior may include:
- Taking medication, such as mood stabilizers or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Speaking to a therapist who specializes in addictive disorders
- Practicing self-care (eating a healthy diet, engaging in fun hobbies, and getting plenty of exercise)
- Seeking support from loved ones
What is it called when you are addicted to sex?
You may have heard terms like “sex addict” used to describe someone who is having trouble managing their sexual behavior. It may be worth remembering that the term “sex addiction” is not officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. However, the World Health Organization lists “compulsive sexual behavior” as a diagnosis describing behaviors and traits commonly associated with sexual addiction.
Falling under the category of impulse control disorders, compulsive sexual behavior may include symptoms like:
- Engaging in sexual activities to the point that it interferes with your life
- Sexual fantasies and urges that feel uncontrollable
- Using sex to manage anxiety, depression, or loneliness
- Continuing to engage in sexual behavior despite negative consequences, like health impacts or relationship conflicts
- Struggling to reduce sexual behavior
Why am I getting addicted to sex?
A variety of factors may contribute to compulsive sexual behavior. For example, getting hold of an internet connection can make it easy to find lots of sexual content. Over time, this constant exposure may lead to more intense fantasies and urges. Some people may also turn to sex to cope with other life challenges, like stress, loneliness, or loss. In addition, drugs and alcohol can affect decision-making and make it harder to control sexual behavior.
Other mental health conditions may also be associated with compulsive sexual behavior. Some examples include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Substance use disorder
- ADHD
- Dementia
It may be important to remember that everyone is different, and the exact cause of sexual compulsion may vary from person to person.
Can sex addicts be faithful?
By seeking help and taking active steps to manage it, people with compulsive sexual behavior disorder can be faithful to their partners. Having a support system, either through loved ones or a group like SAA, is often an important factor in recovery. Maintaining healthy communication and following assigned treatment plans may also be important.
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