What is Sex Addiction?
Sex addiction, commonly called sexual dependency or sexual compulsivity, can be defined as any behavior which interferes with normal everyday living. It can cause severe stress on the individual, a betrayed spouse, children, friends and within a work environment. It is any compulsive behavior that interferes with an addict’s life, their relationships, their work or their very existence.
No single behavior defines this addiction. The behaviors that have become unmanageable can include: compulsive/chronic masturbation, chronic affairs, compulsive heterosexual and homosexual relationships, pornography, prostitution, exhibitionism, voyeurism, indecent phone calls, incest, rape and violence.
If you are questioning your behaviors, and wondering if any of this describes you, please take the quick PATHOS self-assessment tool below, created by Dr. Patrick Carnes.
- Preoccupation — Are you preoccupied with the behavior (or a loved one’s behavior)?
- Ashamed — Are you ashamed of your behavior at times (or a loved one’s behavior)?
- Treatment — Have you or your loved one sought treatment for this in the past?
- Hurt — Have you or anyone else been hurt by the behavior?
- Out of Control — Has the intensity or time spent on the behavior been hard to control?
- Sad — Are you paying an emotional price from the continuation of the behavior?
If you answered “YES” to two or more of those questions, it may be likely you’re dealing with an addiction. Don’t worry. There is help and so there is hope. Many have recovered. Give me a call or email me and we can set up an appointment to discuss your treatment and recovery.