How To Stop Sex Addiction
Sex addiction or sexual addiction is a condition in which a person loses control over sexual desires, thoughts, and impulses. It is vital here to note that sex addiction, which is also known as problematic sexual behavior, is a disorder that should be treated with care and at the discretion of the affected person. Individuals struggling with the issue of sex addiction can find themselves faced with shame, guilt, and pain. Like many addictions, the first step to stopping sex addiction is by talking to someone about the issues you are having. Living with this disease can feel overwhelming when faced alone. Finding a solution to address these often deep-seeded problems is the key way to stop sex addiction. There are many different treatments and therapies to consider in order to stop these sexual addiction urges.
Treatment for Sex Addiction
Medical treatment, psychotherapy, and self-help groups are some of the most popular and effective ways of treatment when it comes to stopping compulsive sexual behavior. The primary objective of seeking help and treatment, is to ensure that a person is able to manage their sexual urges, desires, and thoughts. Along with this reduction in excessive sexual behaviors and thoughts, maintaining a healthy relationship with sexuality is a pivotal outcome of these treatments.
Everyone is different and each case of sex addiction is treated independently by using different forms of treatment:
Psychotherapy:
There are different kinds of psychotherapies (also known as talk therapy) that can help a sex addict in managing their sexual behaviors. In order to have a long-lasting impact on addicts, these therapies are provided in the group, individual, couple, or family format.
Following is the list of known effective therapies for sex addiction:
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy:
In this therapy, the focus is given on increasing the awareness regarding insensible thoughts and behaviors of a person, which can harm them in the long run. Also, new insights and strategies are formulated in order to keep the person motivated to continue with therapy and treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
In this therapy, assistance is directed to identifying the internal negative belief system, unhealthy thoughts, and behaviors. Learning how to replace the negative and harmful thoughts with positive affirmations and productive behaviors develops a new way to cope with the internal negative narrative.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:
In this therapy, the importance is guided towards accepting the thoughts and urges. Strategies are developed to make firm commitments to change.
Medical treatment:
In order to reduce obsessive thoughts about sex and related activities, medical treatment is very useful. In many cases, along with psychotherapy, addicts are monitored with established successful medication, to minimize the urge for sex. Depending upon the diagnosis of mental and health conditions, medications are clinically prescribed.
Some of the examples of medical care include the following:
- Anti-Androgens
- Naltrexone
- Mood stabilizers
- Antidepressants
- Assistance in relapse prevention
- Awareness about sexual addiction and its consequences
- Providing support in coping
- Help with finding resources and sources of treatments
Self-help Groups:
SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous) is just one of many support groups and self-help groups that are assisting people in recovering from compulsive and problematic sexual behavior. Some of them are even based upon the twelve steps programs of AA, i.e., Alcoholics Anonymous.
The below mentioned are some ways in which self-help groups can help people with sexual disorders:
Finding HELP
If you need to take that first step by talking to someone about the issues you are facing, reach out for help through our private and secure advisors. By calling our SexAddictRecovery advisors at (928) 433-7679 you will speak to someone experienced in sex addiction who is free from judgement and aware of the discretion needed during this time.
