How do you know whether your partner needs sex addiction treatment or not? It can be difficult to find the line between having a healthy sexual appetite and being obsessed with sex.
Sex addiction involves a lack of control over sexual thoughts and urges. While sexual impulses are perfectly natural, the typical signs of sex addiction are behaviors that are done in excess. In that excess, these behaviors could significantly impact a person’s life negatively. For example, a person with sex addiction may have a compulsive need for sexual stimulation. This desire can interfere with their ability to live their life normally.
If you’re looking for a sex addiction treatment program near Dallas, TX, contact Santé Center for Healing today. Call 866.238.3154 or reach out to our team online.
What Are the Signs of Sex Addiction?
1. Feelings of Shame or Depression
If the need for sex and love crosses over into a sex and love addiction, someone’s feelings — even when they’re feeding that addiction — may be interspersed with feelings of anxiety, depression, regret, or shame. In particular, a person with a sex addiction may feel shame about their sexual urges and their difficulty in controlling them.
People struggling with this type of addiction may even show signs of depression or suicide ideation. Studies show that it’s not uncommon for people with sex addiction to also experience bouts of anxiety or depression.
2. Having Obsessive Sexual Thoughts
When someone’s obsessed with sex, it typically means they persistently have sexual thoughts.
These chronic thoughts of sex can eventually become obsessive and interfere with their responsibilities.
A sex addict may fixate on sex to the point where they find it hard to engage in other activities. They may fall behind on what they need to do for school, work, or their personal lives — and may become socially withdrawn. They may also prioritize sexual behavior over other hobbies or ways of relaxation. Their relationships may suffer because of this.
3. Spending Excessive Time on Sex
While seeking multiple sexual partners isn’t necessarily a sign of sex addiction, it can be a red flag if someone is spending excessive amounts of time and energy on sex. This includes spending time attempting to acquire sex, being sexual, having sex, or recovering from sexual experiences. While masturbation can be a healthy way to express sexual drive, excessive masturbation can also be a sign of sexual addiction.
In some cases, sex addiction can also lead to inappropriate sexual behaviors. This can include exhibitionism, public sex, sex with prostitutes, or sex without protection. These risky behaviors may result in cheating on partners, catching sexually transmitted diseases, or even committing criminal sex offenses.
A Sex Addiction Treatment Program Can Help Someone Obsessed with Sex
If you notice the above signs in your spouse or significant other, talk to them about it so they can begin considering professional treatment in the form of going to sex therapy sessions or undergoing a comprehensive sex addiction treatment program. In cases where it’s a sex and love addiction, a comprehensive treatment program that’s also customized for each client may be the better choice.
Depending on the underlying cause of the addiction and how it manifests in a client’s life, treatment may vary. If the sex addiction co-occurs with other mental health disorders, treatment may also include medications. Other forms of therapeutic care that are often part of a sex addiction treatment program include the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Couples or marriage counseling
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Group therapy
- Inpatient treatment
- One-on-one therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Support groups
Ready To Learn About Santé Center for Healing’s Sex Addiction Treatment Program?
Are you searching for a sex addiction treatment program near Dallas, TX? Contact Santé Center for Healing today by calling 866.238.3154 or reaching out to our team online.
