Sex Addiction Rehab: What is it?

Sex Addiction Rehab and sexual addiction is something that many people find hard to define. Simply liking or even loving sex does not justify a sexual addiction nor does it require the need for sex addiction rehab. Rather, sex addiction is an intimacy disorder that is compulsive and negatively effects the life of the addict and their friends and family. Sex addicts have constant thoughts of sex and very often act out on these thoughts. Mirroring any other type of addiction, sex addicts need to increase their behaviors to get the same effects that they did in the early stages of their addiction. Initially, most sexual addiction includes masturbation, pornography, cyber sex or maybe even phone sex but sexual addiction can become very dangerous when it starts to cross over the line into illegal sexual activities such as exposing, rape, or child molestation. However, it would not be fair to suggest that everyone with a sex addiction will go on to commit vi olent crimes.

Sexual addicts do not crave the actual act of sex itself but seek the control, power, and dominance that come as part of this behavior. The sexual addiction causes a complete disregard for any negative consequences that may result from their behavior. Sex addicts will ignore issues that their behavior might cause in their relationships, legal consequences, possible health risks, or money problems. The sexual addiction usually causes the addict to have countless sexual encounters with various people that they may know little or nothing about. These people will have sex with anyone; there are no limits. The more difficult the conquest, the more they like it and they may fixate on that person until they give in.

Often, it is a hard line to draw between one believing they have a high sex drive as opposed to being an addict that needs sex addiction rehab. Some of the signs that a person is suffering from a sexual addiction include a preoccupation with sex, regretting certain sexual behaviors, concealing sexual behaviors, the inability to stop, and seeing your behavior spiral out of control but not being able to control it.

The very heart of addiction is the same regardless of the substance or the act itself. All addicts live in denial, secrecy, and trying to cover up lies and behaviors that center around their addiction. Addicts can also make up the best excuses very quickly and effortlessly.  Although the number of documented sex addicts in the US is relatively low in comparison to other types of addiction the problem is a very real. Fortunately, experts have begun to understand and treat the problem of sexual addiction much better. Sexual addiction affects women as equally as men and heterosexual as equally as homosexual. People with other addiction problems are more likely to develop sexual addiction than others.

One of the problems in attempting to treat sexual addiction through sex addiction rehab is that the American Psychiatric Association does not define or include sexual addiction as part of a mental illness. This makes diagnostic criteria unavailable and experts must then rely on other methods for their diagnosis including pedophilia, voyeurism, exhibitionism, masochism, sadism, fetishes, and frotteurism. Sexual addicts seek sexual stimulation just like a drug addict seeks their next high or an alcoholic needs their next drink. The craving is intense and no consequences quench it.

The good news is that successful sex addiction rehab is available for you or a loved one that may be suffering from this brutal addiction. Don't ever let anyone tell you that sexual addiction is not real because it is just as real as heroin or cocaine addiction and it can happen to anyone. If you are the one with the problem then ask someone for help getting you into sex addiction rehab. If it is a loved one that has spiraled out of control then address the issue tenderly and offer support, making every attempt to get that person into sex addiction rehab.

One thing that is known about sexual addiction is that it is rare that a sex addict will enter sex addiction rehab on their own, without some degree of persuasion. Most, unfortunately do not surrender until courts and law officials, or risk losing their marriage and/or families forces them. The best chances for success are with the addicts whose families support them throughout the sex addiction rehab program.

Treatment in sex addiction rehab is twofold. First, it is imperative that the sex addict be removed from the environment where there are no sexual triggers or materials available. Sex addiction rehab offers that kind of setting. This particular addiction is almost impossible to treat in an outpatient setting so sex addiction rehab in necessary. Second, there has to be sufficient work with a therapist to work out the feelings of shame and guilt. In sex addiction rehab the 12-Step Program is a focus along with cognitive behavior therapy, both individual and group therapy, and often anti depressants. We are here to offer you these services in a friendly and professional setting.

Genesis House Inc. is a leader in addiction treatment and have helped thousands of people recover from the devastating consequences of their addictions. Call 1-800-737-0933 or 561-439-4070 for immediate help and answers. More information is available on our web site http://www.genesishouse.net or please email us at info@genesishouse.net