Sex Addiction Stories: First-Hand Accounts You Must Read

GQ reported that treatment for sex addiction doubled since 2008, according to the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. Sex addiction refers to the inability to control one’s sexual impulses and urges. Twenty-three million Americans struggle with this disorder. However, it’s hard to find research or clinical studies on sex addiction.

Research hasn’t determined whether sexual behavior is as addictive as drugs or alcohol. Because of this, some clinicians prefer to use the term hypersexuality. The following stories on sex addiction can inspire those who struggle in secret. These first-hand accounts provide hope and help for those who struggle with sexual compulsion.

Sex Addiction Story - Darryl K. Moore

Darryl K. Moore, PhD, CSAT is a licensed psychologist who works with individuals and couples who struggle with sex addiction. He owns Apogee Counseling Associates, where he works as a clinical psychologist. Moore’s approach to sex addiction treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

He shared his first-hand account of sex addiction on his website. It started as a porn addiction. Moore saw a turning point in his addiction when his wife was upset at his computer use. The couple sought counseling. Moore also attended Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sexaholics meetings.

He struggled with his addiction when he entered college. Additionally, his marriage ended after four years. Moore found hope after working with a psychologist. He realized he could have a lasting marriage for the second time around. Moore is also a Christian who found a renewed belief in God.

Maddening: A Sex Addiction Story by Carly

Carly is the founder and owner of In Sickness & Self. She’s struggled with mental illness for over twenty years. She wanted to share her first-hand account of sex addiction through the eyes of a woman. This raw and candid story might be triggering for some readers.

Carly’s struggles with sex addiction led her to cheat on her husband. She also shares the story of her friend, Lara, who has a severe form of sex addiction. She attended one-on-one therapy and rewired her brain.

While Lara’s heartbroken about the demise of her marriage, she’s at peace with their successful co-parenting relationship. She also hopes that her story will encourage other women not to hide from their demons.

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann

Kerry Hoffmann’s debut novel is a look into a teenage girl’s mind preoccupied with sex and men. Cohen shared the candid details of her unprotected sexual romps. This book is an engaging read even though the subject matter can be triggering for some.

Cohen makes you feel as if you’re her friend. However, some of the male objects are barely described. Cohen also barely describes her friends, family members, or therapist. This book is an ideal look at what happens when women are written off as “loose” without looking into the underlying causes of their behavior.

Life As a Young Female Addict by Natalie Gil

Natalie Gil shared the story of a woman who’s referred to as Kate, to protect her privacy. This 29-year-old shares her experience with sex addiction with Refinery 29. In her story, she admitted that she would have “sex at least 10 times a day.”

Kate also struggled with other co-occurring mental disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and drug addiction. She always had an appetite for “addictive behavior.” However, a nonconsensual moment is what triggered her sex addiction. Her sex addiction was an attempt to heal from the trauma and to reclaim power over her body.

My Life As a 31-Year-Old Sex Addict By Katie O’Malley

This piece in Elle Magazine shares the tell of a woman who struggled with sex addiction at work. Names were changed to protect their privacy. Jenny’s struggles with sex addiction were so severe that most situations occurred in public places. She liked the idea of getting caught.

This essay explains the cause behind her addiction, which can start in childhood or adolescence. In some individuals, it could be a result of abuse, emotional or physical trauma, or sexual abuse. In Jenny’s case, sexual compulsions were her way of coping with her negative thoughts and emotions.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), which impacted her sex addiction. She’s still accepting her condition and is open to seeking professional help.

Walking Through the Storm: A Story of Recovery from Sex Addiction by Brady C

Brady C is a husband and father of three, a professional, and an Ivy League graduate. He was well-respected within his church community. Brady also had a secret. He kept child pornography on his computer and had casual encounters with strangers.

Life changed in 2004 when FBI agents raided his home and seized his belongings. Brady spent seven years in prison. He underwent sex addiction treatment and 12-step programs. He used his story to address the seriousness of sex and porn addiction.

Sex Addiction: The Partner’s Perspective by Paula Hall

This book describes an individual’s experience with their partner’s sex addiction. Sex and porn addiction can harm individuals and couples. Sex Addiction: The Partner’s Perspective helps those people who realize their partner has a secret sex addiction.

It also provides them with practical advice on how to repair their relationship. It’s more than just an honest account of a partner’s sex addiction. It also offers self-help exercises and facts to maintain control.

This book is also packed with case studies and surveys that show the reality of life for partners of sex addicts. Partners can find the help and support they need to repair their relationships, rebuild trust, and heal their intimate relationships.

A House Interrupted: A Wife’s Story of Recovering From Her Husband’s Sex Addiction by Maurita Corcoran

Maurita Corcoran had a perfect life until she found out that her husband was a sex addict. She had to learn how to rebuild their marriage and family. This candid memoir offers a perspective on pain and forgiveness.

It also provides hope for other couples whose marriages have been rocked by sex addiction. This book starts as a story of betrayal and moves into a tale of help. Maurice reminds readers that their marriages aren’t beyond repair.

Sex addiction treatment & resources

Sex addiction is a lifelong battle. It involves comprehensive treatment that gets to the root of the disorder. Sex addiction treatment helps individuals find the source of the behavior, change their thoughts or beliefs, and develop healthy coping methods.

Birches Health offers virtual treatment for sex addiction. The mental health journey starts with an assessment, in which you’ll receive an official diagnosis from a licensed clinician. You’ll work with the mental health professional on a plan for your disorder.

Treatment for sex addiction involves one of the following steps with Birches Health:

You can also call 833-483-3838 or email hello@bircheshealth.com to connect with the Birches team right away.