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Am I a Sex Addict?
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Sex
Like most human behaviors, the appetite for sex can exceed norms and start to interfere with one’s daily habits and relationships. If you’re curious whether or not you’re a sex addict, then you’ve come to the right place.
You may be interested to know that there are over 20 million Americans currently wrestling with sex addiction and compulsivity.
Healthy sexuality is a completely normal human behavior to enjoy. It’s pleasurable for you and your partner, and it activates a core appetite similar to the ones we have for safety, food, drink, exercise, and sleep.
Like most human behaviors, the appetite for sex can exceed norms and start to interfere with one’s daily habits and relationships. If you’re curious whether or not you’re a sex addict, then you’ve come to the right place.
In our over 25 years of counseling sex addicts and their partners, we’ve treated people with respect and dignity, no matter how serious the situation. We can help you get back to the person you are meant to be.
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How do I know if I’m a Sex Addict?
Have you been denying or defending compulsive sexual thoughts/behaviors?
Have you experienced the pain of isolation, shame or guilt?
Have you seen the pain in your partner’s eyes, or experienced the negative impact on your work, finances, or health as a result of your sexual addiction?
Do you identify with any of the following behaviors?
- You think about sex more than love.
- You think intimacy means sex.
- You feel entitled to sex, and get upset when your partner is not available to meet your need.
- You are feeling isolated, empty, tired or depressed after the thrill of acting out sexually fades.
- You don’t enjoy socializing with your peers and friends as much.
- Time alone with your sexual fantasy and behavior have become priority.
- You’ve tried and failed to stop or cut back on using porn, masturbating, or engaging in sexual behaviors
- You’re afraid of what would happen if someone found out about your behaviors
- Your sleep is affected.
- You feel you have to masturbate with porn, and don't know how to pleasure yourself without it.
- You are pressuring your partner to watch porn with you, or participate with couples or a third party in group sex.
- You’re cheating on your partner with other people.
- You’re having thoughts of potentially criminal sexual behavior.
- You are spending free time cruising social media, chat rooms, dating sites, porn sites, and celebrity posts to stimulate your sexual appetite.
If you identify with any of the above, please consider taking an assessment, checking out our Resource Page, and when you’re ready, fill out our intake form to get the support you need.
I Think I am a Sex Addict.
If you can relate to the above behaviors, keep reading. Considering this possibility is the first step to recovery.
Too many sex addicts get stuck in a shame cycle, feeling hopeless or incapable of repairing the impact it has had on their lives and relationships. If this is you, you need to accept that you are a person worthy of love, and realize it’s your behavior that’s unacceptable, but you are a human being worthy of love.
We work with you to help you gain insight and understanding into your worth and value as an individual.
To read more about how we do this, visit our page on Sex Addiction Therapy and Treatment. If you have concerns that you might be struggling with a sex addiction, please reach out to schedule a confidential meeting.
I Am a Woman Addicted to Sex
For women in the 21st century, it may be difficult to distinguish between acceptable and problematic sexual behavior. Women are flooded with cultural cues to follow male concepts of love and sex. Many women have shared that they feel they have to be hypersexual in order to find a life partner. Others have said they have used their sexuality in unhealthy ways to feel powerful and gain back control.
You’re not alone.
There are increasing numbers of female sex addicts, with millions of women struggling to find a way out of the habits they have fallen into. You’re uniquely you, and while you may meet the criteria of a sex addict, there are usually other factors that may have led to where you are. Let’s start the conversation so we can get you back to being the best version of yourself.
I Am a Man Addicted to Sex
Often men have a harder time seeking the support they deserve. They often think their behavior is acceptable in our sexualized culture, rationalizing it with the all too common misconception of “after all, don’t ‘all men’ look at porn?”
If men are discovered, they may feel embarrassed, angry or inadequate despite multiple failed attempts to stop on their own, to no avail. There are many factors including cultural, familial and early exposure to sex and sexuality that have led you to where you are.
There is estimated to be over 10 million new male sex addicts every year. Yet millions of sex addiction recovery success stories are written every year as well. Be the next one and start a confidential chat with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
- – Traumatic events
- – Childhood sexual, emotional, physical abuse
- – Obsessive thinking
- – Compulsivity: unable to control impulses
- – Shame
- – Isolation
- – Loneliness
- – Fear of Intimacy
- – Unstable or dysfunctional family
- – Domestic abuse
- – Childhood emotional neglect
- – Early sexualization
- – Entitlement
- – Poor self esteem
- – Mental health – mood and personality disorders
- – Media portrayals of hypersexual men and women
- – Hypersexuality normalized in peer groups and culture
- – Cultural norms of gender power and control differences
For more answers to commonly asked questions, please visit our Sex Addiction Therapy Page.
Have you been denying or defending compulsive sexual thoughts/behaviors?
Have you experienced the pain of isolation and shame?
Have you seen the pain in your partner’s eyes, or experienced the negative impact on your work, finances, or health as a result of your sexual addiction?
Begin your journey toward healing and wholeness with the support of experienced professionals today.
