5 Signs of Sexual Addiction

For some people a healthy sex life can turn into a sexual addiction without them even realizing it. There is a fine line between sexual gratification and sexual addiction and addicts frequently cross that line without recognizing the danger. A sexual addiction can destroy the life of the addict and have enormous negative consequences on family, friends, careers, relationships, finances, and emotional and physical well being.

Neglecting Relationships

A sexual addict gradually replaces time with friends and family with increasingly desperate pursuit of sexual gratification. Time with friends and family loses its appeal, as sex becomes the only thing that matters to an addict. An addict can no longer take pleasure in time with friends and family and the shame and despair of those feelings creates a vicious cycle of addiction. Sexual addicts avoid family and friends which leads to a greater need for sex which leads to more avoidance in a self-fulfilling downward spiral. Eventually most sex addicts will even give up sex with committed partners to pursue the types of sexual gratification that feed their addiction.

Increased Tolerance

In addition to avoiding personal relationships a sexual addict suffers the same fate of most other addicts of building a tolerance to the addictive substance. In a sex addict's case this means it requires more and more frequent sexual gratification or adding more thrill seeking sexual practices to maintain the level of pleasure gained from sex. As a sex addict spends more time on seeking sexual pleasure personal relationships suffer more and the cycle of addiction increases. Eventually tolerance can build to the point that the sexual addiction complete takes over an addicts life. An addict's entire life may come to revolve around seeking sexual gratification as the rest of his or her life is shunted aside.

Risking Finances

Eventually a sexual addict may get to the point that the addiction is taking time away from a job or an addict may get to the point that paying for the sexual addiction is destroying family finances. Sexual addiction can take the form of internet porn, collecting pornographic materials, spending large amounts of time and money at adult entertainment clubs, or increasing use of prostitutes. A sexual addiction can be costly to maintain and frequently sexual addicts eventually come to the point where they cannot feed their addiction and keep a job at the same time. While they are losing their job and/or destroying their career the cost to maintain the addiction is usually increasing and many addicts compound the problem by mortgaging their homes or depleting their savings or retirement funds to pay for sex.

Risking Health and Safety

Sexual addiction can frequently include or grow to include extremely risky behavior such as multiple partners, unprotected sex, or sex with strangers. Bar or internet hookups can frequently lead to assaults, robberies, or rape or at the very least exposure to a multitude of diseases. Because of the secretive nature of sexual addicts, they can frequently go on to infect their spouses or partners as well. Many sex addicts in order to keep their addiction secret spend the time they should be sleeping feeding their sexual addiction. They are may come to rely on illegal drugs to get through their day. Sexual addicts frequently develop drug or alcohol addictions that add another level to the vicious circle of damaging their financial and physical health. Some sexual addicts get to the point of performing criminal acts to fulfill their addictive sex needs.

Compulsive Sex

Some sex addicts come to realize that their sex lives are out of control and they may even want to stop. Many will promise themselves that it is over but be unable to control the sexual compulsion. The compulsive need for sexual gratification overwhelms the good intentions and the cycle continues. This is the nature of addiction and like other addicts most sex addicts cannot stop or control their behavior on their own. Recovery from sexual addiction is a lifelong struggle requiring professional help or long-term membership in a support group. If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one websites such as Sex Addicts Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, or Sexaholics Anonymous can provide resources to take that first step toward recovery.

The line between a healthy sex life and the beginning stage of sexual addiction is very thin. Many people fail to realize they have stepped over the line. Sex addiction is a vicious cycle that can lead to destruction of relationships, financial ruin, health and safety problems, and even further addictions of criminal behavior. Recognizing addiction and seeking help is the first step to long-term recovery from sexual addiction.

Sources:

http://www.jenniferschneider.com/articles/recognize.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/sexual_addiction/article.htm

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/symptoms-of-sexual-addiction/

http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/article/6996/566/Recognizing+the+Signs+of+Sex+Addiction+and+Compulsivity

http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/sex-porn/symptoms-sexual-addiction/menu-id-54/

http://www.sexualcontrol.com/sexual-addiction-and-the-symptoms-of-addiction.html