Often, those struggling with sex addiction will have chronic sexual thoughts or fantasies that interfere with daily life and cause stress and anxiety. Their compulsive behaviours might include masturbating in private or public, spending a disproportionate amount of time looking for partners, engaging in extramarital activities or even taking part in extreme acts of sex. These actions are often harmful to their relationships, lead to financial loss and may even result in health problems such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
People with a sex addiction can also experience difficulty maintaining a job or focusing on school, family or other hobbies, as their sexual urges tend to take priority over these other priorities. These risky behaviours can also lead to legal troubles such as stalking, indecent assault or even sexual offences.
Like other addictive disorders, sex addiction can be difficult to treat. However, unlike drugs or alcohol, it can be treated with psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the individual to identify their triggers for compulsive sexual behavior and teaches them how to alter their behaviors. Some individuals with sex addiction will benefit from the use of antidepressant medication to help with mood swings, which might contribute to their addiction.
Other sex addiction treatment options may involve 12-step programs that operate in a similar way to Alcoholics Anonymous and can be beneficial for those with sex addiction. These are particularly useful for those who have a trauma-based addiction, where childhood disconnection with Caregivers due to abuse, neglect, death or abandonment has led them to seek emotional relief and connection through sex and other sexually addictive behaviors.