“Am I a sex addict?” This is a question that some people might ask at various points in life, particularly if they are having issues with increased sexual activity or if they are curious about whether their activity represents a problem.
As is the case with any other addictive behavior, sexual addiction might come in many forms, but it’s a serious problem when sexual thoughts and impulses are outside of your control, interfere with daily living, and have negative consequences.
What is Sex Addiction?
Addiction takes several forms, and in any situation, it is the point where your brain and body become reliant on a substance or a behavior.
With substance addiction, addiction happens when you lose control over your thoughts and actions because of substance abuse. You might know that what you are doing is harmful or has negative consequences, but no matter how much you try to stop, you can’t.
Sex addiction is very similar, only instead of using drugs or alcohol, you have impulsive sexual urges or thoughts. When these reach the point that you lose control over them, it could indicate an addiction. When sex is causing harmful consequences that you are well aware of, but no matter how much you try to stop or change, you can’t, it could also be an addiction.
Key Signs of Sex Addiction
If you have asked yourself, “Am I a sex addict?” it is important to look at the key signs of sex addiction. Generally, behaviors may not be considered an addiction until they reach the point that your sexual impulses and behaviors interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis.
This might look like changing your daily routine in order to have sex, neglecting responsibilities to have sex, or even spending money on sex.
Types of Sex Addicts
There are different categories of sex addiction, all of which can have a negative impact on mental health, physical health, relationships, work performance or school performance, and even quality of life. Some examples include:
- Addiction to sexual activity
- Pornography addiction
- Addiction to masturbation
- Impulsive and uncontrollable sexual fantasies
Key Signs of Addiction
Under normal circumstances, it’s perfectly acceptable to seek out sexual experiences, to spend a lot of time with your sexual partner, or to see new partners, but it becomes a potential problem or addiction if you spend significant time and energy planning for sex, having sex, or recovering from those experiences.
This significant amount of time and energy co-occurs with obsessive sexual thoughts that are so intrusive they become a distraction, interfering with your ability to get through the day. The preoccupation with sex could mean that you start avoiding or withdrawing from personal activities, hobbies, friends, and even family.
You might end up preoccupied with sex to the point that you overlook work, school, or personal responsibilities. It might even reach the point where it damages relationships with partners, friends, or family.
Other signs include:
- Excessive masturbation
- Engaging in inappropriate or risky sexual behaviors
- Engaging in behaviors such as paying for sex and using things like online chat rooms
These are often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, shame, or anxiety. In severe cases, they can lead to extreme depression and suicidal ideation.
Women’s Treatment for Sex Addiction
If you believe that you are struggling with sex addiction, no matter which form it takes, you can get help. Sex addiction can be a particularly vulnerable type of addiction because of the intimacy aspect, and for that reason, women who struggle with sex addiction may feel significantly more comfortable with women’s inpatient treatment.
Gender-based treatment offers therapy and support in facilities run by women, for women. At Casa Serena, our team can help you go through an initial assessment to determine whether you have a sex addiction and if you are living with any co-occurring mental health conditions.
From there, we’ll make a plan for you, one that you get to review that includes the recommended course of action with the recommended therapies to help you control those impulses and change your relationship to sex.
Contact our team to learn more about mental health treatment programs.