Holidays Can Be Risky Time For People With Sex Addiction
Amidst the bright lights and joyful faces, for thousands of people living with sex addiction, there can be a fast slide into addictive behaviors. The holiday season can be especially trying for people who live with sex addiction or are in recovery, as it brings to the forefront emotions they may want to hide from or reminds them of their struggles in maintaining intimate, quality relationships.
For others, sex addiction during the holiday season can be coupled with alcohol or drug abuse, or other addictive behaviors – and all for the same purpose of avoiding (or finding ways to cope) with the emotional stressors the holidays can bring.
Dr. Robert Weiss, founder of the Sexual Recovery Institute, addresses reasons why the holiday season be especially tough for people with sex addiction in a recent article:
- Family gatherings mean facing in close quarters the relationships that may stir up negative emotions or bad memories, or just the reality that there is a strong emotional distance present instead of what’s supposed to feel like joy and holiday excitement.
- Social settings that include alcohol and other elements may encourage a person who is working toward recovery from sex addiction to loosen inhibitions and they could see a relapse.
- Expectations that the season should be the year’s most joyful may not be met in the midst of financial pressures, crowded family gatherings and hectic travels. The person with sex addiction may turn to paid sex, online sex or other habits to ease the frustration and feelings like shame or anger.
- The holidays may remind a person with sex addiction what they’re missing – such as a close, intimate marriage or rewarding personal relationships – spurring a wave of feelings strong enough where they feel sex is the only escape tool.
Experts encourage people living with sex addiction to have some strategies in place before the holiday season is upon them. This can include saying "no" in advance in a tactful way to certain gatherings or finding support groups that are taking place around the holidays in any city they may travel to. Keeping feelings in check, including activities like journaling about them ahead of time, can also be a successful way to avoid a relapse during the holiday season.