No, I don't think sex addiction is the hardest addiction to overcome. There is controversy about whether sex is an addiction or not, and medical science does not classify sex addiction as a specific disease to be treated in a specific way.
How to define sex addiction?
Sex addiction is a compulsion to have sex, intercourse, and to do so recklessly, even at the risk of hurting yourself. While there is medical debate over whether sex addiction is a disease until 2023, medical science classifies sex addiction as compulsive sexual behavior.
While experts debate whether compulsive sexual behavior is an addiction, sex addiction has an impact on us, affecting our lives, our routines, and even our health.
How can you tell if you have a sex addiction?
Experts have created a new classification of compulsive sexual behavior disorder, which includes the inability to control persistent, intense sexual urges that lead to intense, repetitive sexual behavior.
Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder can be determined by several criteria:
- Inability to control strong, persistent sexual urges, sexual behaviors, and repetitive sexual behaviors.
- Inability to control one's sexual desires and staying in this state for a long period of time (more than 6 months)
- Serious pain and damage to one's life, family, work, social life, etc.
Common Symptoms of Sexual Addiction
There is no specific standard for sex addiction, here are some common symptoms:
- Spending a lot of time on sexual activities every day
- Uncontrollable reading of sex-related materials and videos
- Uncontrollable repetitive and reckless sexual activity
- Serious impact on your lifestyle, work and rest habits, affecting your health
- Even your social activities, family, and work can not be carried out normally
How difficult is it to overcome sex addiction?
For many people, sex addiction is difficult to quit because it is everywhere, sex is part of you. It can't be discarded like alcohol or drugs. The reason behind a sex addict's desire to have a lot of sex may be the desire to escape from the stress, anxiety, and emotional problems of everyday life, which drives them to not be able to control their desire to engage in repetitive and heavy sexual activity, even without regard for the consequences.
A high sex drive is healthy, but it becomes an addiction when the desire is uncontrollable and causes the individual to lose control of their body and mind as well as their life, family, and social life.
What are the ways to overcome sexual addiction?
1. Counseling
If you have been in a situation where you cannot control your sexual addiction for a long time and it is jeopardizing your normal life, then seeking help would be the best way to overcome it. Then seeking help from others would be an effective way. Counseling addiction related professionals can be a more effective way to get help. Because at present, counseling and sex and relationship therapy does not treat sex addiction as a separate entity with related treatment programs.
2. Join a support group
Joining a support group can make you feel less alone and provide you with encouragement and support. You can learn more about other people's stories, and you can also learn from other people's experiences to help yourself out of sex addiction.
Of course joining a support group can only be used as an adjunct to treatment. This is because not all of the information that people share is necessarily correct or suitable for everyone. Even some wrong information, or negative and negative emotions, may bring more serious consequences.
Final Thoughts
Sex addiction though is not medically classified as a specific disease if one is unable to control sexual urges and engages in reckless sexual activity. The cause of sexual addiction is often accompanied by other reasons, such as the pressure to escape from real life, or emotional problems.
Then it is important to actively seek help from others, for example by consulting an addiction professional.
Frequently asked questions
1. How long does it take to get rid of sex addiction?
The recovery phase is the main phase of recovery from sex addiction and for most people it takes 1-3 years. The process of restoration involves intensive therapy that allows the sex addict to gradually take responsibility for his or her destructive behavior. And recovery from sex addiction improves overall physical and mental health.
2. Do sex addicts have regrets?
Yes, sex addicts are often in a state of guilt and regret, and for most sex addicts, fall into negative emotions after the sexual act is over.
3. Can sex addicts have healthy relationships?
Building healthy relationships, emotional bonds and emotional intimacy can be very difficult and often overwhelming for sex addicts. As a result, as a partner of a sex addict, there are often feelings of being used or objectified, and a serious imbalance in the need for sex, which not only affects sexuality, intimacy, and relationships and emotions.
4. What are the causes behind sex addiction?
Sexual addiction can be caused by these reasons. Psychological factors: depression, anxiety, bi-directional affective disorder, low self-esteem and other issues can lead to sexual addiction. Biological influences: structural imbalances in the brain and hormonal factors may lead to sex addiction.