Sex addiction is one of the least talked about and least understood of all addictions. This is mainly because of our society's unwillingness to take a honest look at sexuality. However recently a more clearer understanding of sex addictions is being reached. Today the idea that someone could be hooked on sex is unsettling to most people. Most will deny that the problem is actually a chemical addiction and suggest that its really cause someone is a 'slut' or 'player' or that the person is just a 'horn dog'. People are more able to admit that they have bad habits then they are able to admit they are hooked on someone or something. This confusion about sex addiction is majorly influenced by our society's stereotype towards addicts. Sex addicts are those who engage in persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior. This behavior is usually increased as the time and problem foes on, despite negative consequences to self and others. They become addicted to the nero-chemical changes that take place in the body during sexual behavior. It is said that this is not an uncommon condition as some would think. In fact, more than 15 million people worldwide suffer from this type of addiction. Sexual addiction has many different forms including: compulsive masturbation, sex with anonymous prostitutes or other partners. multiple affairs outside of a committed relationship, habitual exhibitionism, inappropriate sexual touching, sexual abuse of children, and raping. The worst of all of these above is childhood sexual abuse. It is said that 60 percent of people who have a sexual addiction where abused by someone in there childhood. Its like a recurring nightmare, sex addiction hurts alot of people and can even lead to others developing the addiction. Sex addicts have no comprehension of the risks they are taking. They feel their life is out of control. To deal with the pain, the sexual addict may resort to other addictions such as alcoholism, eating disorders, and abusive drugs. Many times suicide is also a constant thought. The addiction does not't make a person worthless, it just hides the addict's true personality and positive qualities. Many sex addicts, however, are not involved in any public activities that would enhance their level of arousal. Instead they spend hours reading or watching pornography, with eventually masturbation as part of their activity. Sexual addiction is progressive and it rarely gets better. Over time it gets more frequent and more extreme. At other times when it seems under control, the addict is merely engaging in one of the common traits of the disease process in which he switches from sexual release to the control of it. Many addicts seek help for there sex addictino, but discontinue it or find it not helpful. They have a growing appreciation of the reality of the problem but tend to counter this realization by minimizing the problem or thinking they can handle it by themselves. Most fear that letting go of the addiction would mean giving up sex completely. Recovery is not a straight incline leading directly to a desired goal, but it does follow a somewhat predictable path. To get on this path, the addict must first recognize his or her problem and be able to address their addictive behavior, then must understand the role that the addiction has served. The addict must learn the value of his self as a whole person, rather than as a sexual object. |
