Sex Addiction

There is addiction to anything under sun and sex is definitly one of them.  But being addicted to sex is like any other addiction.  Society hopes that the addiction can be undercontrolled, if not society will hold you accountable to it.  You cannot break laws, hurt people, etc. 

I'm sure there is a science for those who cheat.  If one is capable of cheating there are probably other characteristics that person has that might indicate he/she would.  Like being a dishonest person.   It's not all genetics, but I'm sure there might be a component to it.   I don't think it is a leginamate excuse to cheat. 

Quoting Rebeccalynn_dj:

They spoke of sex addiction today.  What are your thoughts?

They also talked about the science of cheating.  Do you think some people are just genetically predisposed to cheat?

I beleive there is something to "sex addiction"...whether it involves actual sex or even exteme use of porn for self pleasure..  or "stalking" activity... it is a very real mental issue. 

I dont know about "genetically predisposed" to cheat.. i do believe that there are things that can influence a brain to it if something happens to an individual at a young age.  Whether it is unintentional exposure or INTENTIONAL such as molestation or abuse... this is something that has surfaced in my husbands family and is very hard to deal with...very hard.  so I actually do feel very badly for those people affected by 'sex addiction' becuase like anything, it requires help and counseling and lots of people frown upon it.

I think that it is an excuse. Children are not made to be held accountable anymore and now we have a bunch of jerky adults running around thinking that they can do whatever they want. People don't care about hurting each other anymore and feel like they have the "right" to do whatever they want. IMO!  :)

My knee-jerk reaction is that it's just an excuse for a poor schlub who got busted.  But maybe I should ask how exactly is sex addiction defined?  Is it simply the "release"?  Is it the visual stimulation (ie, porn), is it the hunt (ie, conquest of a sexual partner) or a combination of all of those things? 

Anyone have a good definition?

Sexual Addiction

The term “sexual addiction” is used to describe the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Sex and the thought of sex tend to dominate the sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.

Sex addicts engage in distorted thinking, often rationalizing and justifying their behavior and blaming others for problems. They generally deny they have a problem and make excuses for their actions.

Sexual addiction also is associated with risk-taking. A person with a sex addiction engages in various forms of sexual activity, despite the potential for negative and/or dangerous consequences. In addition to damaging the addict's relationships and interfering with his or her work and social life, a sexual addiction also puts the person at risk for emotional and physical injury.

For some people, the sex addiction progresses to involve illegal activities, such as exhibitionism (exposing oneself in public), making obscene phone calls, or molestation. However, it should be noted that sex addicts do not necessarily become sex offenders.

Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include:

• Compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation)
• Multiple affairs (extra-marital affairs)
• Multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one-night stands
• Consistent use of pornography
• Unsafe sex
• Phone or computer sex (cybersex)
• Prostitution or use of prostitutes
• Exhibitionism
• Obsessive dating through personal ads
• Voyeurism (watching others) and/or stalking
• Sexual harassment
• Molestation/rape

Generally, a person with a sex addiction gains little satisfaction from the sexual activity and forms no emotional bond with his or her sex partners. In addition, the problem of sex addiction often leads to feelings of guilt and shame. A sex addict also feels a lack of control over the behavior, despite negative consequences (financial, health, social, and emotional).

How Is Sexual Addiction Treated?

Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, and treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event -- such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis -- to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.

Treatment of sexual addiction focuses on controlling the addictive behavior and helping the person develop a healthy sexuality. Treatment includes education about healthy sexuality, individual counseling, and marital and/or family therapy. Support groups and 12 step recovery programs for people with sexual addictions (like Sex Addicts Anonymous) also are available. In some cases, medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder may be used to curb the compulsive nature of the sex addiction. These medications include Prozac and Anafranil.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

WOW!  That covers a lot of "behaviour" doesn't it?  I'm sorry, my first reaction was to crack up laughing.  I know this is very serious, but probably every fifth person on the street is guilty of one or more of the "symptoms" listed below.  Thanks for this - give me better perspective.

Quoting Rebeccalynn_dj:

Sexual Addiction

The term “sexual addiction” is used to describe the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Sex and the thought of sex tend to dominate the sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.

Sex addicts engage in distorted thinking, often rationalizing and justifying their behavior and blaming others for problems. They generally deny they have a problem and make excuses for their actions.

Sexual addiction also is associated with risk-taking. A person with a sex addiction engages in various forms of sexual activity, despite the potential for negative and/or dangerous consequences. In addition to damaging the addict's relationships and interfering with his or her work and social life, a sexual addiction also puts the person at risk for emotional and physical injury.

For some people, the sex addiction progresses to involve illegal activities, such as exhibitionism (exposing oneself in public), making obscene phone calls, or molestation. However, it should be noted that sex addicts do not necessarily become sex offenders.

Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include:

• Compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation)
• Multiple affairs (extra-marital affairs)
• Multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one-night stands
• Consistent use of pornography
• Unsafe sex
• Phone or computer sex (cybersex)
• Prostitution or use of prostitutes
• Exhibitionism
• Obsessive dating through personal ads
• Voyeurism (watching others) and/or stalking
• Sexual harassment
• Molestation/rape

Generally, a person with a sex addiction gains little satisfaction from the sexual activity and forms no emotional bond with his or her sex partners. In addition, the problem of sex addiction often leads to feelings of guilt and shame. A sex addict also feels a lack of control over the behavior, despite negative consequences (financial, health, social, and emotional).

How Is Sexual Addiction Treated?

Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, and treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event -- such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis -- to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.

Treatment of sexual addiction focuses on controlling the addictive behavior and helping the person develop a healthy sexuality. Treatment includes education about healthy sexuality, individual counseling, and marital and/or family therapy. Support groups and 12 step recovery programs for people with sexual addictions (like Sex Addicts Anonymous) also are available. In some cases, medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder may be used to curb the compulsive nature of the sex addiction. These medications include Prozac and Anafranil.

 

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

I think it has more to do with the obsessive compulsive aspect of the sex.  It doesn't mean you like to have sex in your car on occasion.  It means that you think about sex so often that it interferes with your life, your job, your family.

Think of it this way.  A person that drinks is probably not an alcoholic.  If you can 't stop thinking about when you get to drink next then you have a problem.

Quoting NiteOwl1:

WOW!  That covers a lot of "behaviour" doesn't it?  I'm sorry, my first reaction was to crack up laughing.  I know this is very serious, but probably every fifth person on the street is guilty of one or more of the "symptoms" listed below.  Thanks for this - give me better perspective.

Quoting Rebeccalynn_dj:

Sexual Addiction

The term “sexual addiction” is used to describe the behavior of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Sex and the thought of sex tend to dominate the sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.

Sex addicts engage in distorted thinking, often rationalizing and justifying their behavior and blaming others for problems. They generally deny they have a problem and make excuses for their actions.

Sexual addiction also is associated with risk-taking. A person with a sex addiction engages in various forms of sexual activity, despite the potential for negative and/or dangerous consequences. In addition to damaging the addict's relationships and interfering with his or her work and social life, a sexual addiction also puts the person at risk for emotional and physical injury.

For some people, the sex addiction progresses to involve illegal activities, such as exhibitionism (exposing oneself in public), making obscene phone calls, or molestation. However, it should be noted that sex addicts do not necessarily become sex offenders.

Behaviors associated with sexual addiction include:

• Compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation)
• Multiple affairs (extra-marital affairs)
• Multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one-night stands
• Consistent use of pornography
• Unsafe sex
• Phone or computer sex (cybersex)
• Prostitution or use of prostitutes
• Exhibitionism
• Obsessive dating through personal ads
• Voyeurism (watching others) and/or stalking
• Sexual harassment
• Molestation/rape

Generally, a person with a sex addiction gains little satisfaction from the sexual activity and forms no emotional bond with his or her sex partners. In addition, the problem of sex addiction often leads to feelings of guilt and shame. A sex addict also feels a lack of control over the behavior, despite negative consequences (financial, health, social, and emotional).

How Is Sexual Addiction Treated?

Most sex addicts live in denial of their addiction, and treating an addiction is dependent on the person accepting and admitting that he or she has a problem. In many cases, it takes a significant event -- such as the loss of a job, the break-up of a marriage, an arrest, or health crisis -- to force the addict to admit to his or her problem.

Treatment of sexual addiction focuses on controlling the addictive behavior and helping the person develop a healthy sexuality. Treatment includes education about healthy sexuality, individual counseling, and marital and/or family therapy. Support groups and 12 step recovery programs for people with sexual addictions (like Sex Addicts Anonymous) also are available. In some cases, medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder may be used to curb the compulsive nature of the sex addiction. These medications include Prozac and Anafranil.

 

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

 

I just wonder as with any addiction is if there is an underlying mental illness lurking below the surface....

i loved how Judge Judy put in todays show!  Its Crap! An excuse called self indulgence!

tongue in cheek... is judge judy the new moral compass of our society??

obviously she hasnt had to deal with something like this... compulsions and addictions... and i pray she never does because it is never easy... it is hurtful, it is hard and it is embarrassing.

Quoting NYMOM12:

i loved how Judge Judy put in todays show!  Its Crap! An excuse called self indulgence!