What Is Sex Addiction?

When people think about addiction, they may only think about addiction to substances. Yet, addiction can be defined as being physically or mentally dependent on a substance, behavior, or thing. People turn to addictive behaviors for a variety of reasons, often to handle stressors. When you are addicted to something, it can be difficult to stop without assistance. Behavioral addictions are similar to addictions to substances in that people struggle to stop doing the behaviors without help. West Coast Recovery Centers offers treatment for behavioral addictions that teaches you how to handle stressors without your dependence.

One common form of behavioral addiction is sex addiction. When someone uses sex as a way to cope with their negative feelings, they may become dependent on the act. It can interrupt someone's life and put their health and relationships at risk. If you are struggling with an addiction to sex and sexually dangerous behavior, it is important to reach out for support and guidance to achieve lasting healing in your life. 

What Is a Behavioral Addiction?

A behavioral addiction is characterized by dependence on a behavior or action that requires intervention to stop. People turn to a variety of harmful behaviors, either as a way to cope or in an attempt to feel good, and then are unable to stop engaging in them even when it is damaging their life. This happens because engaging in the behavior triggers the same reward system in the brain that alcohol and other drugs do. 

Common behaviors that someone may struggle with addiction include shopping, gambling, social media addiction, food addiction, and sex addiction. All of these behaviors may cause the brain to release surges of dopamine, leading to feelings of pleasure. This cycling can be addictive and cause you to go back to these behaviors over and over. Behavioral addictions can be particularly difficult to identify because certain behaviors, like having sex, are a natural part of the human experience. Yet, when moderate engagement in a behavior like sex spirals out of your control or you can't stop on your own, it may indicate a behavioral addiction. 

Someone who struggles with behavioral addiction may engage in the behavior in secret or experience a disruption to their life because of it. The mental dependence on behaviors can be incredibly difficult to break and find new and healthy coping mechanisms to replace it. With professional support in treatment, you can work through the underlying issues that inform your behavioral addiction and learn how to establish a healthy relationship with said behavior once again.

People who struggle with sex addiction may experience shame about reaching out for help. If your behavioral addiction goes untreated, it may be more and more difficult to stop. There is no shame in needing support. We are here to meet you where you are on your journey without judgment. 

The Risks of Sex Addiction

Compulsive sexual behavior, or sex addiction, is the continued participation in sexual activity despite negative consequences. These consequences can include interruptions to your daily schedule or work, ruining relationships, or causing mental or physical harm to yourself. Engaging in sexual activity can be pleasurable, but when it is uncontrolled or feels like a compulsion, it can be distressing. Sex addiction can include putting yourself into unsafe situations for sex, as well as damaging sexual behaviors like being addicted to watching pornography. 

Our current culture may normalize or show more graphic forms of sex or violent types of pornography, which can cause the reward system in your brain to overload. This repetitive association with dopamine and sexual gratification can make you dependent on sexual behavior for a release. The continuous use of sex to cope with or ignore your feelings may create situations that are unsafe for your physical and mental health.  

Sex addiction may cause someone to engage in unsafe sexual practices or behaviors. This can include unprotected sex and other unsafe sexual practices, which can lead to infection or harm to your body. Relying on a behavior to handle your stressors will not help, but instead make them worse. Sex addiction can also affect your relationships. It can be isolating from your loved ones and push you away from others. When one person struggles with sexual behavior, it may make them struggle with infidelity or otherwise harm their relationships. 

Getting Help for Sex Addiction

Many people who struggle with sex addiction may feel shame about their issues. It is important to understand that, like with any addiction, anyone can struggle with these issues, especially while experiencing immense stressors in their lives. Getting treatment will help you learn how to keep your behaviors under control and manage your stress so that you can turn to healthy coping skills instead. There is no reason to be ashamed of seeking help for sexual behavior compulsions. Being able to reach out for help shows that you are stronger than your struggles. 

At West Coast Recovery Centers, we offer behavioral addiction treatment that is catered to the individual needs of each client. Our specialized care team can help you work through your behavioral addiction and find better ways to cope. If you have turned to sexual behavior due to past trauma or difficulties, we can guide and support you as you heal from these struggles. Finding healthy coping mechanisms and leaning into support will help you establish and sustain healing from any behavioral addiction, especially sex addiction. 

All types of addictions can be damaging. If someone struggles with substance abuse, we recognize that it is important for them to get help. The same is true for those with behavioral addictions, such as sex addiction. Sex addiction can ruin someone's life, relationships, and health. Putting yourself in unsafe situations for sex can lead to infection and worsening mental health. When you don't work through your mental stressors, your mental health can get worse. It is important not to feel shame about getting help and making choices that aid you in your recovery. To learn more about sex addiction and how to get treatment, call West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.