Monthly Archives: May 2014

Common Sex Addictions

sex addictions commonA sex addiction can look like one of many things. Some sex addictions are common, such as an abnormally high libido that makes a person crave sex at a much higher rate than the average person. Some such addictions are eccentric and unlikely, such as craving sex with people who are wearing a particular costume. Sex addiction comes in many different forms and is highly influenced by each individual addict’s psychological makeup. Some of the more common sexual addictions are listed below:

  • Fetish: The term “fetish” is used to refer to having a sexual fascination with something that deviates outside of what is considered “normal sex.” It is arguable that any sex addiction is essentially a fetish, because sex addiction itself deviates outside of what is considered normal sex. A fetish, however, is usually an odd sexual fascination, such as the desire to have sex with people in wearing a pirate costume, or the desire to perform sexual acts on human feet.
  • Lingerie: This lacy, revealing article of clothing was designed specifically to get people in a sexy mood, but for some people, it does much more than that. Lingerie is its own sexual fascination to some people, who often are not even interested in sex unless lingerie is involved.
  • Masturbation: An addiction to this form of “self pleasure” means that a person takes care of their own sexual needs rather than having a partner do it for them, and they do not have control over how often they pleasure themselves.
  • Intercourse: The most obvious sexual addiction is to sexual intercourse itself, an addiction that often hits those with a high libido. Intercourse may be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
  • Multiple partners: Some people have multiple sexual partners to meet their high libido’s demands, while others have multiple sexual partners because they are fascinated with the idea. Having multiple partners at different times or at once are both variations of this type of sexual addiction.
  • Pornography: Films and magazines that contain text about or pictures of sex acts are called pornography. Pornography is widely available through the internet and through retailers, and some people are so addicted to it that their collection of pornography is the largest investment they own.

What is Sex Addiction?

sex addiction definitionSex addiction is considered by many addiction experts to be one of the hardest addictions to break. This is because sex is one of our basic carnal instincts and cravings as members of the animal kingdom, and because, unlike addictive substances such as alcohol, we can not put physical distance between ourselves and our libido. True, we can resist things like strip bars the same way we can avoid liquor stores, but sex addiction can include an addiction to masturbation, in which case there is no physically separating a person from their addiction. The will to control it must be resolute on a deeply personal level.

Sex addiction can appear in a number of forms, just like drug addiction can vary between many different drugs. Some sex addicts seek out partners while others prefer to act alone. Some are in monogamous relationships and act out their addiction on their partner, while others select a number of multiple partners. The fetishes that sex addicts have are often as individualistic as the person’s sexual psychology, and can revolve around something that another person would not associate sex with at all.

Although sex is a basic human instinct, addiction to sex is considered an unhealthy condition because of certain observable, negative effects it has. In most cases of sex addiction, the addict has a tendency to objectify the object of their sexual desire. Objectification of another person is never a healthy practice as it leads to mistreatment. This appears in the form of resentment or anger toward another person for a refusal of sex – behavior that is very morally incorrect. It also can lead to dishonesty with loved ones to hide a sex addiction, secretive or reclusive behavior in order to indulge in the addiction and neglect of one’s relationships and responsibilities for the sake of indulging in the addiction.

Addiction treatment centers and rehabilitation facilities are very familiar with sex addiction in all its various forms and can help immensely. If you are afflicted with a sex addiction and you are ready to seek help, contact the sex addiction rehab of your choice to learn more about how you can gain your life back.