Identify Sexual Addiction

Like any other addiction, sexual addiction can have severe effects on the addict and his or her loved ones. As the addiction escalates, and the disorder progresses, the damage to personal relationships, self-esteem, career and other areas of life increases to devastating levels. A true sex addict will continue to engage in risky or damaging sexual behaviors despite the consequences, some of which can include health risks, broken marriages, legal problems and financial ruin.Knowing how to identify sexual addiction can provide you with the information you need to obtain help for yourself or your loved one. There is currently no official diagnostic criterion for sexual addition, and clinicians typically base their diagnosis on a combination of sexual and addictive signs and symptoms.source:ehow.com



Instructions

Watch for a pattern of compulsive or out-of-control sexual behavior, such as frequently indulging in pornography, engaging in dangerous sexual acts, having multiple partners, compulsively masturbating or engaging in prostitution–especially when the primary motivation behind the prostitution is not financial. Feelings of guilt following compulsive sexual acts are common, and are an indication that the behavior was out of the addict’s control.

Being unable to stop engaging in risky sexual behavior, despite the severe consequences, is another symptom of sexual addition that should be noted. Sex addicts may seem unable to eliminate or even reduce the frequency of their risky behavior, even after losing a spouse, becoming pregnant or contracting AIDS or another STD.

Consider events such as unexpectedly moving to a new city or joining a new religious organization possible signs that the addict is attempting to limit his or her sexual behavior or seek relief from the shame associated with the behavior. Typically, these moves or new associations are unsuccessful, and are simply a means of avoiding environments the addict links to sex.

Pay attention to any signs that the sex addict might be increasing the frequency or intensity of his sexual experience in order to receive sufficient satisfaction from the experiences. This is a classic symptom of addiction in general, and sexual binging can escalate quickly to the point of emotional and physical exhaustion. As tolerance levels increase, the pain and anxiety experienced during withdrawal can mimic that felt by a heroin addict.

Attempt to determine if the addict is using sexual obsession or fantasy as a coping mechanism. Sex addicts tend to fantasize sexually considerably more than most people, both as a means of maintaining an elevated level of arousal, and as a reaction to stress or anxiety.

Take note of any loss of interest in activities or relationships that were once important to the addict. As the sexual addiction becomes more severe, the addict may begin to neglect important occupational or social activities in favor of engaging in sexually related experiences. Friends, family members, work responsibilities and hobbies may cease to hold importance to the addict.

Act immediately if you notice any self-destructive behavior or severe changes in mood. Sex addicts can become severely depressed and may even consider self-harm or suicide. Consider any prolonged changes in mood to be a sign of a possible depressive episode, and seek help if needed.

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Sexual Addiction?

As per Sir, MICHAEL HERKOV, PH.D(Source: http://psychcentral.com); Sexual addiction is best described as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.

For some sex addicts, behavior does not progress beyond compulsive masturbation or the extensive use of pornography or phone or computer sex services. For others, addiction can involve illegal activities such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, child molestation or rape.

Sex addicts do not necessarily become sex offenders. Moreover, not all sex offenders are sex addicts. Roughly 55 percent of convicted sex offenders can be considered sex addicts.



About 71 percent of child molesters are sex addicts. For many, their problems are so severe that imprisonment is the only way to ensure society’s safety against them.

Society has accepted that sex offenders act not for sexual gratification, but rather out of a disturbed need for power, dominance, control or revenge, or a perverted expression of anger. More recently, however, an awareness of brain changes and brain reward associated with sexual behavior has led us to understand that there are also powerful sexual drives that motivate sex offenses.

The National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity has defined sexual addiction as “engaging in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to self and others.” In other words, a sex addict will continue to engage in certain sexual behaviors despite facing potential health risks, financial problems, shattered relationships or even arrest.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Volume Four describes sex addiction, under the category “Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified,” as “distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used.” According to the manual, sex addiction also involves “compulsive searching for multiple partners, compulsive fixation on an unattainable partner, compulsive masturbation, compulsive love relationships and compulsive sexuality in a relationship.”

Increasing sexual provocation in our society has spawned an increase in the number of individuals engaging in a variety of unusual or illicit sexual practices, such as phone sex, the use of escort services and computer pornography. More of these individuals and their partners are seeking help.

The same compulsive behavior that characterizes other addictions also is typical of sex addiction. But these other addictions, including drug, alcohol and gambling dependency, involve substances or activities with no necessary relationship to our survival. For example, we can live normal and happy lives without ever gambling, taking illicit drugs or drinking alcohol. Even the most genetically vulnerable person will function well without ever being exposed to, or provoked by, these addictive activities.

Sexual activity is different. Like eating, having sex is necessary for human survival. Although some people are celibate — some not by choice, while others choose celibacy for cultural or religious reasons — healthy humans have a strong desire for sex. In fact, lack of interest or low interest in sex can indicate a medical problem or psychiatric illness.

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Types of Addictions

Whenever we encounter the word "addiction", the thing that immediately comes to mind is drugs and alcohol abuse. Addiction, however, reaches far beyond just drugs and booze. Strictly defined, an addiction is the habitual compulsion to use a substance, or to engage in an activity without much regard for its detrimental effects on a person's physical, mental, financial social and spiritual well-being. Source: http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/addiction-types/index.htm

Many people suffer from different addiction types other than drugs and alcohol, and here are some of them.

Drug Addiction



From marijuana to heroin to LSD and ketamine, these drugs have a had huge impact of society ever since people began turning to them for refuge or recreation.

Sadly, there have been lots of drug-related casualties along the way, and the figures are still climbing. There are many types of drugs one can become addicted to and the effects are varying. From the somewhat habit-forming to the hardcore physically addictive substances, the following are the most common types of drug addictions:

Alcohol Addiction Brain damage, cancer, heart disease, liver disease, impotence. Love of the bottle can get any alcoholic that, and so much more. Learn more about alcohol abuse.

Nicotine Addiction Many smokers probably wish they could stop smoking. Nicotine, however, seems to make it more difficult for them to do so. Learn more about nicotine dependency.

Cocaine Addiction Cocaine is one of the priciest drugs in the market. That fact, however, doesn't deter millions of users from making it the most abused major stimulant in America. Learn more about cocaine addiction effects.

Opiate Addiction Opiates are often used to relieve pain. Addicts use it for so much more than just that. Learn more about opiate dependency.

Heroin Addiction There was a time when heroin was considered "harmless". Whoever said that must have been an addict himself. Learn more about heroin addiction symptoms.

Meth Addiction This is the drug that is giving cocaine a run for its money in the United States. One national survey reveals that approximately 10 million people in the United States have tried methamphetamine at least once.

Methadone Addiction Oddly enough, this opiate analgesic used to treat people for heroin addictions has become quite an addiction itself. An appropriate substitute for morphine indeed.

Marijuana Addiction Call it "pot," "herb," "weed," "boom," "Mary Jane," "bud." "gangster," and "chronic." No matter what the name, this is still the most frequently used illegal drug in the world.

Caffeine Addiction Can't make it through the day without your macchiato? Then you're addicted to caffeine.

Steroid Addiction Steroids are famous for their performance enhancing and muscle building properties. No wonder it's the drug of choice for many athletes.

Vicodin Addiction Vicodin abusers tend to make some of the most adamant denials they're addicted to the drug. It is, after all, prescribed by a doctor for pain medication, and therefore, they can't be addicted.

Prescription Drug Addiction No one who starts out taking prescription drugs set out to be come addicts. But unfortunately, most prescription drugs, like Vicodin, Codeine and Demerol, are physically addictive.

Behavioral Addiction



Behavioral addiction is different from drug addiction in the sense that no mind-altering substance is being ingested. Still, it displays the same symptoms as drug or alcohol abuse. A behavioral addict, by definition, is someone who couldn't control or stop an activity despite experiencing adverse consequences of the activity.

Gambling Addiction Most people gamble for fun. When gambling stops being a recreational activity and becomes a way to seek thrills or as a means of escape on a regular basis, then it becomes an addiction. Learn more about gambling addiction.

Food Addiction We all eat to live. Some people, however, live to eat, as they compulsively and obsessively crave for and eat food even when they're not hungry or when they're depressed. Learn more about food addiction symptoms.

Sex Addiction Few people would admit they're addicted to sex. Little do they know that when the compulsive use of pornography and masturbation to repeated sexual affairs, regular use of prostitutes, voyeurism or just obsessively thinking about sex becomes the norm, they are already sex addicts.

Love Addiction Love addiction is not really about love. Truth be told, love addiction is closer to codependency, an unhealthy one at that, than love. Learn more about the symptoms of relationship and love compulsions.

Porn Addiction Porn addiction is characterized by compulsive reading of pornography, obsessive viewing or thinking about pornography and any other sexual themes. If you got boxes upon boxes of porn videos at home, or when you actually think that the Internet is for porn, chances are, you're a porn addict.

Work Addiction otherwise known as "workaholism" in the U.S., is the most respectable, encouraged and praised of all addictions. It's also pretty deadly, claiming hundreds of lives a year mainly through stress related heart attack and stroke. Find out if you or someone you know could be a workaholic.

Exercise Addiction Exercising is healthy. Exercising to the point of dependency and compulsion is not. Learn more about exercise addiction effects.

Video Game Addiction This is one addiction parents should really worry about. After all, children and teenagers make up the bulk of video game addicts. Find out if you or a loved one have become addicted to video games.

Shopping Addiction Going into a store planning to buy one pair of shoes and coming out with seven, or spending $500 instead of the budgeted $100 are some symptoms of a shopping addict. And just like an alcoholic or a drug addict, "shopaholics" tend to keep proof of their excessive shopping habits from their partners.

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