Sex Addiction
As with all addictive processes, sex addiction is progressive and destructive. Just as with drugs and alcohol, tolerance levels increase over time and people will find themselves looking for different ways to get the same 'hit'. This can manifest in many ways such as:
- Increased time and money spent on internet sex sites
- Prostitution
- Pornography
- Increase in risk behaviour in relation to sexual activity
- Involvement with fetishes that become more extreme and experimental
Again, as with drugs and alcohol, an addictive pattern can have its roots in after work stress releasing, get togethers, recreational fun or solitary curiosity.
Because of the embarrassment and shame around this addiction, the sufferer will hold onto their secret; guilt around it will increase and people begin to use it (sex addiction) to suppress those feelings, which is part of the downward spiral.
This 'taboo' addiction is, in many ways, the most insidious as it eats away not only at the core values of self, but also of relationships.
How can Cygnet Health help?
In therapy we look at the progression of the addiction, its consequences, how to begin to reverse the effects, coping skills and to introduced to an ongoing support network.
We will also look at a person's relationships (both present and past). Many sex addicts do not know how, or find it difficult, to form healthy relationships.
Locations
We provide sex addiction treatment at the following Cygnet Health hospitals: