|
||||||
Sex Addiction Treatment
Relevant information about Sex Addiction Treatment.Addiction to sex refers to the phenomenon in which a person has a compulsive need of sexual activity. It has also been called "sexual dependency" and "sexual compulsivity" because there is an unusually intense sex drive which becomes an obsession with sex. As it happens with other addictions such as gambling, the individual is unable to manage or quit his/her compulsive and disruptive behavior. Sexual addiction also involves a distorted thinking about sex. Sex thoughts become so repetitive that dominate all the addict’s thinking. Generally, work and personal relationships are eventually affected by this behavior. When this compulsive sexual behavior remains despite negative and dangerous consequences, the addict is involved in risky situations and his/her work, social life and relationships begin to be affected. A sexual addiction puts the person in risk of emotional and physical damage. Sometimes sex addicts are also involved in illegal activities, such as exhibitionism or making obscene phone calls. Although it is possible to detect and describe this phenomenon, its existence and diagnosis is not yet universally accepted by sexologist and/or psychiatrists. Its definition is controversial. Some specialist believe it is an addiction, similar to gambling and alcohol addictions, others believe it is a compulsive disorder and still others say it is a myth. The latest version in 2000 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), does not recognize sexual addiction as a diagnosis. However, it does include a miscellaneous diagnosis called Sexual Disorders Not Otherwise Specified which describes general and unspecific behaviors related with sex. In general terms and far away from a diagnosis, a sex addict follows some predictable patterns and has typical symptoms and behaviors. They may include all the following item or some of them:
Usually sex addicts gain only a little satisfaction from the sexual activity and are not able to form emotional bond with their sex partners. They loose control over their behavior and start having more and more negative consequences in financial, health, social and emotional issues. Feelings of guilt and shame are generally involved in this kind of addiction.
Most sex addicts generally deny they have a problem, deny their addiction and make excuses for their actions. Admitting they have a problem is the first step to over come it because it opens the chance of an acceptance and a treatment. Sometimes a significant event such as break-up of marriage or loss a job, has to take place for them to ask for help. There are a number of treatment programs available for sex addiction. Despite sex addiction is usually compared with alcohol, gambling or drug addictions, the treatment goals and challenges to face are quite different for sex addiction from those other addictions. The goal in drug or alcohol treatments is abstinence from use of all psychoactive substances, because there is a chemical dependency. Unlike them, the therapeutic goal of sexual addiction treatment is not lifelong abstinence. There should be abstinence only from the compulsive and unhealthy sexual behavior. Some treatment do include and suggest an abstinence period during the first 60 or 90 days. This phase would probably help addicts to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy sex and also to understand the circumstances, emotions and compulsive thoughts involved with disruptive behavior. The long term goal includes adapting and integrating healthy sexuality. Sexual addiction treatments usually focuses on helping the person develop a healthy sexuality. Numerous treatments are available in the market. There are out-patient or in-patient programs and also private counselors and professional therapists offering different kind of treatments. They may include education about healthy sexuality, individual counseling, and marital and/or family therapy. Support self-help groups such as Sex Addicts Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous are very common and are also available. The 12 step recovery programs are large groups based on the 12-step system of Alcoholics Anonymous but adapted for people with sexual addictions. They have been also adapted for use in programs for eating disorders, compulsive gambling and other addictions. Medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (Prozac, anafranil) are rarely used in sex addiction cases to treat the compulsive nature of the this addiction. Treatments focuses on two main issues. The first is terminating with compulsive thoughts and separating from the harmful sexual behavior. This challenge can require inpatient or outpatient setting according to the person needs. The second issue involves the harmful feelings and emotions associated with this illness. Facing the guilt, shame and depression involved can be harder than it looks. It takes trust, perseverance and effort to encourage all this process.
|
?
