If you suspect you are a sex addict, or if you are concerned that someone you know may be a sex addict, here is information that will help.

Sex Addiction Terminology

People can become easily confused by the terminology used to explain sexual addiction. Since terms like sex addict, sexaholic, Internet sex addict, porn addict, sexual compulsive, sex and love addict are all so similar, they can easily confuse someone wishing to better understand these disorders and work toward healing.

For the wife who wants to learn how to tell if her husband is a sex addict or the parent concerned about a teenager's involvement with Internet porn, the terminology itself may be less important than how the sexual behavior problem affects the individual's life priorities.

In general, sex addicts tend to have compulsive and repetitive sexual patterns whereas love addicts tend to use relationships and sexual affairs to achieve similar levels of emotional intensity and distraction.

Sexaholic, sex addict and sexual compulsive are interchangeable terms that only serve to indicate which 12-step program the person attends, more than the specific problem they experience. Taking the linked sex addict quiz will further clarify whether or not the individual's problem is of real concern.

12-step Support

To clarify, but hopefully not confuse the reader further, people attending Sexaholics Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings consider themselves sex addicts, people attending Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous meetings, consider themselves sex and love addicts, and those attending Sexual Compulsives Anonymous meetings refer to themselves as sexual compulsives.

Women sex addicts can be found at all of these support groups, but in general women do best in meetings where men are not in attendance.

Someone with an Internet sex problem is best served by attending whatever group best reflects the nature of his or her particular behavior. None of this is particularly meaningful however, unless people attend consistently and fully involve themselves in the process offered there. This means attending meetings three or more times weekly at the beginning, getting a sponsor and taking the typical 12-step commitments like being a secretary or meeting greeter.

For the sex addict help is available if they are willing to reach out for it and stick with an unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable process.

For the Spouse

Different types of support are suggested to help the spouses and partners of sexual addicts. These recommendations range from seeing a therapist or clergy, to reaching out to non-judgmental loved-ones for help and/or attending12-step groups like COSA, CODA and Alanon. These groups exist specifically the help guide the wife of a sex addict; sex addict's spouse or other loved one whose life has been affected by the addict's problem behavior.

While the problem of sexual addiction in a family member or loved one can feel shameful and humiliating, the support groups available to partners are extremely welcoming and offer a great deal of hope to those courageous enough to show up.