Sex Addiction - Definition,Causes, and Symptoms

This type of addiction is defined as a progressive disorder that is characterized by impulsive and erratic sexual behaviour that often results to the person's inability to function normally in a social as well as personal convention.

What are the causes of sex addiction?

Although there are no definitive studies as to why this particular abnormality develops in people, there are certain theories that are currently accepted as viable explanations. Some psychologists maintain that addiction to sex can be caused by repressed psychosexual traumas experienced by the patient during childhood, teens, and even in later life.

These traumatic experiences can trigger a ripple effect that is manifested by unusual and often dangerous sexual behaviour. There have been some studies that showed certain statistical trends such as that there are a large number of people who suffer from this addiction who have also been molested, raped, or otherwise sexually assaulted as a child or before the age of 18. Also, out of every 10 self confessed sexual addicts, there are 6 who are women and 4 men.

Implications and Ramifications:

Being addicted to sex has various negative effects on the life of the sufferer. Here are just some of the most common problems that can arise from sexual addiction:

 Inability to keep a job because of extreme sexual desires and impulses which often results to inappropriate behaviour that cannot be tolerated in a place of work. Many sex addicts end up permanently unemployed because they cannot coexist normally with other people in a professional context.

 Ruined personal relationships. Sex addicts who are married or are otherwise in a serious committed relationship either commit adultery or are forced to come clean to their partners/spouses and eventually get dumped. It becomes very hard to be in a relationship because a sex addict has impulses that most people, even those with whom they share a life, cannot comprehend much less tolerate.

 Extreme social detachment comes after they have been left by their partners/spouses because they no longer have a support system of any kind. This is the worse part because one would need to have people to turn to in order to be able to get through this ordeal.
Is there a cure for sex addiction?

As of yet, there is no pharmacological cure for this type of addiction. What is highly recommended is extensive therapy with a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. It is going to be a long process but the chance for recovery is very high especially for those who are willing to acknowledge the problem, accept help in order get to the other side. Relapse is frequent but part of the recovery process in all types of addiction.