They say that sexual addiction, like addiction to food, is hard to define because both are normal bodily functions, so when it becomes excessive is not quantifiable. On the other hand, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are sort of optional, and wanting to reduce significantly or cease altogether on these habits are some people's aims. Thought I'd share this article on today's MSN on sexual addiction. It describes it as a lack of self-control more so than a mental disorder. No such thing as sex addiction?
Well, how about when one uses sex to numb or to get away from whatever's a bother? That's quite common and it could become an addiction, even if there may not necessarily be hardcore withdrawal symptoms. I think the definition of the word 'addiction' is what's causing the differing views.
i don't think it's a mental disorder, but it definitely exists. i can't go 6 hours without masturbating. i'm pretty sure orgasm releases high amounts of endorphins, and i'm sure that has something to do with it
Sex addiction is real. However, I don't think it's addictive in its own way. As Luthan said, it can be used to escape problems. The endorphins and chemicals released cause you to just forget everything and focus on the moment, as well as the intense pleasure from orgasm and general stimulation. I believe people addicted to sex are more just addicted to relieving their troubles, and that they're probably highly likely to get addicted to alcohol/drugs, substitution basically. It's the same way as weed; it's not addictive, but it CAN be addictive if it's used as a clutch. All the best.
The non-substance addictions (sex, gambling, exercise shopping, video gaming, pornography) are often a conundrum because it's harder to evaluate and quantify them. However, most of the professionals in the recovery field believe that they are every bit as addictive, physically, as substance-based addictions (alcohol, drugs.) Sex in particular does (and, to a lesser extent, all of the other non-substance addictions) elicit release of certain hormones, and stimulates release of dopamine and serotonin, both associated with feelings of happiness and positive mood. And someone with a genetic predisposition toward addiction (which appears increasingly certain, at least for some people) or a lack of coping skills in dealing with stress or unpleasant emotions is going to be at higher risk of any addiction (substance or non-substance) than those who don't have the genetic predisposition. It's wrong and offensive to characterize people with non-substance addictions as simply lacking willpower; that's where we were with alcoholism and drug addiction 40 years ago. We now recognize there are complex biochemical as well as psychological factors in play in addictions of all types, but we still are somewhat limited in effective long-term interventions for these issues.
Patrick Carnes seems to be the pioneer, or one of them, in the field of sexual addiction. He is featured on talk shows and several of his books are seen in the self-help/psychology section of the bookstores. I've flipped through one or two. There are a lot of charts about the different backgrounds and the predicted coping styles through sexual behavior. He is not a psychiatrist, but a PhD. I think he has run the in-house clinic type places, probably where the stars and politicians like the ones mentioned in the article check-in for this condition, as well as those for whom admittance is recommended. The article also used the term "hypersexuality."
