Problem Sex Love Addiction
Sex and Love Addiction
Huge Increases Due to Cyber Sex The incidence of sex addiction is increasing due mainly to internet sex. And it is becoming more widely known due to media coverage of some high profile sports and entertainment industry people who are reported to be sex and love addicts. It is estimated that 6% of the US adult population are sex addicts. As well, in 2006, 72 million unique individuals in the world visited pornography sites on the internet. Seventy percent of North American teenagers report they have seen pornographic images online and the average age of first exposure is 11 years.
Many individuals who enter treatment for an alcohol or drug addiction are often also sex and love addicts. According to the Mayo Institute, eighty per cent of sex addicts have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused as a child and/or adult.
In general, sex addicts tend to have compulsive and repetitive sexual patterns whereas love addicts tend to use relationships and sexual affairs to achieve similar levels of emotional intensity and distraction. Like other addictions, sex and love addiction is a means to escape from feelings and everyday life. Some use sex to fuel low self-worth.
While the act of sex is prevalent in most cases of sex addiction, a sex addict may also form an addiction to relationships and love where the relationships are unhealthy or codependency is active.
Lust or sexual fantasy is the most important part of the addiction for some and for others the rituals involved with their behaviour. But anger is its driving force. The anger is generated by shame. Not just the shame of people acting against their values - but the shame that tells people that, at the core or deepest part of their being, they feel worthless and inadequate. Living in shame is an uncomfortable place for addicts because shame generates feelings of being “less” than others, and being vulnerable or being out of control. The addict uses anger to combat these feelings. The anger allows the addict to move from a feeling of vulnerability to a feeling of safety. It acts as a mask that the addict can hide behind – and while the addict might feel safer, it is a lonely and isolated place to be.
If you or someone you care about is possibly a sex and love addict, find out more by taking the Sex and Love Addiction Self TEST on this site.
Many individuals who enter treatment for an alcohol or drug addiction are often also sex and love addicts. According to the Mayo Institute, eighty per cent of sex addicts have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused as a child and/or adult.
In general, sex addicts tend to have compulsive and repetitive sexual patterns whereas love addicts tend to use relationships and sexual affairs to achieve similar levels of emotional intensity and distraction. Like other addictions, sex and love addiction is a means to escape from feelings and everyday life. Some use sex to fuel low self-worth.
While the act of sex is prevalent in most cases of sex addiction, a sex addict may also form an addiction to relationships and love where the relationships are unhealthy or codependency is active.
Lust or sexual fantasy is the most important part of the addiction for some and for others the rituals involved with their behaviour. But anger is its driving force. The anger is generated by shame. Not just the shame of people acting against their values - but the shame that tells people that, at the core or deepest part of their being, they feel worthless and inadequate. Living in shame is an uncomfortable place for addicts because shame generates feelings of being “less” than others, and being vulnerable or being out of control. The addict uses anger to combat these feelings. The anger allows the addict to move from a feeling of vulnerability to a feeling of safety. It acts as a mask that the addict can hide behind – and while the addict might feel safer, it is a lonely and isolated place to be.
If you or someone you care about is possibly a sex and love addict, find out more by taking the Sex and Love Addiction Self TEST on this site.