What is a Sex Addict? Guide to Understanding Sex Addiction
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Sep 5, 2024
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03:51 p.m.
ET
“Sex addict” is a term that has been thrown around a lot in mainstream media, at times as a way to explain or excuse the latest celebrity cheating scandal. We’ve also heard it used on talk shows, in magazines, movies and all over social media. What people don’t realize is the harm this kind of negative publicity does to those who are really suffering from sex addiction.
Research and treatment into sex addiction are currently lacking, and more needs to be done to better understand it and develop evidence-based treatment. It is thought that up to 8% of Americans may be classified as sex addicts. However, this number is based on limited research and could be much higher.
The nature of sex addiction has changed with the prevalence of social media, hypersexualization and overexposure to sex. There is also easy access to sexual content at a younger age than ever before.
Medical professionals continue to evolve their understanding of sex addiction and what types of treatments will help individuals recover. All of these factors play a part in understanding the nature of sex addiction and what can be done to treat it.
What makes someone a Sex Addict? How it’s defined and diagnosed
Currently, there is no official diagnosis in the DSM-5 for sex addiction. There are 12 sexual disorders that encompass sexual dysfunction, paraphilias and gender identity disorder, but nothing that categorizes the repetitive and destructive sexual impulses of sex addiction.
In the medical community, there have been discussions on whether sex addiction should be categorized like other addictions, impulse-control disorders or even obsessive-compulsive disorders. However, sex addiction does have a list of distinguishable characteristics that can be used to diagnose someone as a sex addict.
Currently, mental health professionals may classify someone to be a sex addict if they are unable to control their sexual impulses which leads to continued involvement in these behaviors, despite any negative consequences. Problematic sexual behavior may be different for everyone so it is important to take every person's individual experience into consideration. Sex addiction may involve physical sexual acts, internet pornography, high volume of sexually explicit materials, strip clubs or massage parlors, the list is endless. The variations in sexual behavior is one of the factors that makes standardizing diagnosis criteria difficult for sex addiction.
Assessing sexual behaviors to determine potential sex addiction
With the ambiguity around diagnosing sex addiction, it can be difficult to identify the signs and symptoms. It may also be hard for someone to know if they have a dysfunctional relationship with sex. Sex addiction is not the same thing as a high libido or enjoyment of sexual activity and it is important not to confuse the two.
Birches Health offers a Sex Addiction Test that can help determine if someone's behaviors are problematic or within a normal range.
Example question from the Birches Health "Sex Addiction Test"
Warning signs of Sex Addiction
When does a healthy sexual nature cross over into destructive addictive behaviors? Sexual behavior that someone is having and unable to control or stop despite negative outcomes is a good indicator that an addiction to sex may be likely.
Signs of sex addiction can include:
Inability to control sexual tendencies
Not feeling satisfied during sexual activities despite craving it
Uncontrolled sexual fantasies or urges
Prioritizing sexual activity over other responsibilities
Legal trouble due to problematic sexual behavior
Participating in risky sexual behavior regardless of the consequence
Feeling guilt or shame after sexual activity or thoughts
Sexual feelings and connection are a healthy part of life and should not be looked down upon or feared. But serious problems can arise when normal sexual activity crosses into behavior that cannot be controlled and has negative effects on someone's life.
What can cause becoming a sex addict?
There is no singular cause for someone becoming a sex addict. There are many factors at play that can contribute to someone developing a sex addiction in their lifetime. Biological and environmental factors play a part in the development of most addictions, including sex addiction.
Studies have found that there can be a genetic component to addictive behaviors and if someone you grew up with had a sex addiction, you may be at a higher risk of becoming a sex addict. Early exposure to oversexualized content is another factor that may lead to sex addiction. Research has also found that those who experience sexual trauma at a young age may develop a dysfunctional relationship with sex as they age as well.
Other mental health diagnoses such as Depression, Anxiety, Impulse-Control Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and substance abuse are all common co-occurring disorders found with sex addiction.
Treatment and resources for Sex Addicts
Currently there is no specific evidence based treatment for sex addiction. There are treatment models for other addictions and mental health diagnosis that can still benefit the behaviors shown by sex addicts. Individual, group and family therapies may be beneficial to repair relationships, in addition to looking at triggers and negative thought patterns that contribute to problematic sexual behaviors.
If you or someone you know is suffering from sex addiction, Birches Health has licensed professionals that specialize in treating sex addicts. From a free self-assessment to 100% virtual and confidential therapy, Birches can explore which options work best for you. To find more about what types of therapy Birches Health has to offer, reach out today.
There are some different options to get started with Birches Health:
You can also speak to the team at 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with Birches Health today.
