Sex Addiction - Pride Institute

Sex Addiction is one of the least understood of the addictions. Because of social values around sexuality, people who have problems controlling their sexual behavior are often viewed as deviant or immoral by others. Instead of being seen as people who are in need of help, they are often judged as weak and valueless. Sex addiction, put simply, is the inability to control one’s sexual behavior and thinking. Out-of-control sexual behavior often continues in spite of tremendous consequences, including damaged relationships, loss of self-esteem, sexually transmitted diseases, financial and/or legal problems.

Sex Addiction is estimated to occur in 3-6% of the mainstream population, with the condition occurring more in men than in women. In the LGBT community, sex addiction is also found to occur in gay men more than in lesbians. Additionally, gay men are found to struggle with compulsive sexual behavior at far higher rates than non-gay men, with many studies suggesting that up to 40% of gay men struggle with this troubling condition. Complicating things even further is the epidemic abuse of crystal meth in the LGBT community. Many sex addicts find themselves dually addicted to crystal meth and sex because of the synergistic effect that occurs between the two.

Signs of sex addiction can include:

Multiple and/or anonymous sexual partners, and/or frequent one-night stands
Sexual behavior that frequently accompanies drug or alcohol abuse
Sexual behavior that includes risk-taking and/or potential exposure to sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., “bare-backing”)
Obsessive use of pornography, phone-sex services, or pornographic web sites
Obsession with and sexual harassment of another person
Severe mood changes surrounding sexual activity
Neglect of relationships, work or other responsibilities as a result of thinking about or pursuing sex
A sense that sexual behavior is “out of control,” and an on-going desire to control or limit sexual behavior

Sex addiction can be treated with individual and group therapy as well as other techniques. Treating any co-occurring addiction to drugs or alcohol is imperative. PRIDE Institute has been helping LGBT people with addiction since 1986.

For More Information:

Complete the Sex Addiction Self-Assessment

Call PRIDE Institute Information & Admissions: 800-54-PRIDE

Self-Assessment

Sex Addiction is a term used to describe the behavior of people who have an intense drive to have sex or are obsessed with sexual activity. People who have a sex addiction generally exhibit distorted thinking and commonly deny that their behavior is problematic. Some people are able to accept that they have a sex addiction only after facing multiple, life-altering consequences.

Have you wondered if your sexual behavior is problematic? The following questions are provided to help determine whether or not you may have a sex addiction.

Note: This self assessment is for information purposes only. It does not replace a formal evaluation by a medical or mental health professional.

Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts?
Do your friends, family or significant others express concern about your sexual behavior?
Do you find that the time you spend looking for sex, viewing pornography, or using phone or computer sex services is becoming greater than the time you spend with your intimate contacts or romantic partners?
Do you find that you hide the extent or nature of your sexual activities from others?
Do you place yourself at risk of arrest or other consequences as your pursue sexual activities?
Do you ever engage in unsafe or risky sexual activities even though you know it could cause you harm?
Do you ever feel depressed after you have sex?
Do you ever find that your sexual activities are emotionally harmful to other people?
Do you ever find that drug use and sex tend to go together?
Are you unable to stop patterns of sexual behavior, even though you have promised yourself or others that you would?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may benefit from being assessed for sex addiction. We recommend that you promptly consult a licensed medical or mental health professional, or call PRIDE Institute Information and Admissions at 800-54-PRIDE.

How PRIDE Can Help

Sex Addiction is a condition that often causes intense shame for those it affects. For LGBT people, this shame can be compounded by negative messages from society about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Sex Addiction is not about morality; rather, it is an illness that can be treated successfully with specialized care.

PRIDE Institute can help you recover from sex addiction and restore your sexual life to one of healthy balance. It all begins by picking up the phone and asking for help.

Call us at 800-54-PRIDE to speak with an Information and Admissions counselor.

Resources

The following links provide useful information on sex addiction:*

Call 800-54-PRIDE for a free assessment and for further information.

*Information on these sites is deemed reliable but is outside the control of PRIDE Institute.