Is it an Excessive Interest in Sex, or Sex Addiction?
It can be difficult for a partner in a committed relationship to know if their loved one’s strong desires for sex or excessive involvement with pornography is normal, or if it signals a serious problem with sexual addiction.
Sex addiction is believed to impact at least five percent of the adult population in the U.S., with numbers likely much higher due to a desire to keep the addiction secret or remain in denial that an addiction exists.
Researcher are discovering new information constantly about the ways sex addiction is similar at the brain and biological level to addictions to drugs or alcohol, and new treatment centers are available nationwide, yet many couples remain trapped in the addiction or wonder for months if a partner’s behavior is normal.
A recent article addresses some of the ways to know if a partner’s sexual behaviors could indicate a sexual addiction:
- Obsessive, compulsive thoughts about sex, and being unable to stop those thoughts even when they are unwanted and disruptive.
- Secrecy or avoidance of family or social situations to go online and use sexual-themed sites, even when relationships suffer.
- Inability to refrain from compulsions to engage in sexual acts in bizarre and inappropriate places, or to refrain from viewing sexual materials online in the workplace or in public.
- As a couple, partners may experience arguments frequently over one person’s involvement with pornography or sex sites online.
- Partners may also experience disagreements and fighting related to learning that one partner wants (or is involved with) sexual relationships with multiple partners, or is buying sex services.
Sexual addiction is a true addiction that destroys lives and families as it becomes more progressive. Professional help is required to reach recovery and manage triggers, and that treatment may involve individual and couples-based counseling or even the support of members of national groups, such as Sexaholics Anonymous.
Experts strongly recommend couples-based professional counseling, because both partners in a relationship suffer deep emotional consequences related to sexual addiction.