What is sexual addiction? Wikipedia describes it as the phenomenon in which individuals report being unable to manage their sexual behavior. It has also been called "sexual dependency," and "sexual compulsivity." Psych Central describes it as a progressive intimacy disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. As you can see, they have one thing in common. They both say that people can not help it.

Studies show that one third of sex addicts are women. You can find sexual addiction in all types of people such as: preachers, judges, police, teachers, and more. Even one of our previous presidents was accused of having a sexual addiction. He received counseling for sexual addiction after it was found that he had committed adultery.

Sex addiction can cause a lot of problems for people. It affects both men and women and can start before a person even reaches the age of 13. A lot of people who have an addiction to sex were abused as children. That’s not to say that just because you were abused means that you will become one.

People with a sex addiction have a tendency to be dominated by sex. They have a hard time working or having a personal relationship. Sex is on their minds to the point that they can’t seem to function. They would rather be having sex of some sort than doing anything else. They will have unprotected sex, even with the knowledge that they may catch a sexually transmitted disease. They may also become suicidal because they don’t like who they are. They want to change but don’t see any way to do that except to take their own life.

Sometimes a person with a sex addiction will not admit they have a problem until they lose their job, their family, or their health. They don’t feel as though they have any control over what they are doing. They will also blame what they are doing on everybody else and yet they feel guilty about what they are doing. Most of the time, a sex addict doesn’t even want to be doing the things they do. They just can’t stop themselves. What they are doing may even be against everything they believe in.

A sex addict will have sex regardless of the possible outcome. It doesn’t matter if it may cause them psychological or physical harm. Their minds just don’t work that way. They feel the need to have sex to the point that nothing matters except when they can get their next fix. It’s a lot like somebody who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.

Many sex addicts will spend every dime they can get their hands on. They will use it to pay prostitutes, go to the strip clubs and massage parlors, pay for phone sex, and even to watch porn on the computer. Their whole family suffers when they do this. They will use the money that has been put aside for food and bills. It doesn’t matter where the money comes from as long as they can have their excitement.

Somebody who is addicted to sex will spend every free moment they have fulfilling their desires for sex. The will spend more time on their own pleasures than they spend with their partner. If they are at a function with friends or family, they will spend all their time wondering how much longer it will be before they can leave so they can perform some kind of sexual act. They can be at one of their kids’ graduation or at their anniversary party. It really doesn’t matter. They have one thing on their mind.

A person with a sexual addiction will have problems staying in a relationship. They are unable to bond with their partner. They will have a tendency to lose interest in a relationship after the newness has worn off. It usually does not take long for this to happen. Some people will have affairs even when they have just gotten engaged or just gotten married. Some people will go so far as to sleep with somebody else while they are on their honeymoon.

Some sex addicts eventually turn to doing illegal things to get their fix. They will have sex in public, masturbate in public, make obscene phone calls, and even turn to rape or molesting children. They will do this sort of thing knowing that if they get caught they will go to jail. That’s not to say that all sex addicts will do this.

Compulsive masturbation, exhibitionism, dating through personal ads, multiple partners, a lot of one night stands, seeing prostitutes, continual use of porn, stalking, sexual harassment, and molestation are all possible symptoms of sexual addiction. They do consider sexual addiction to be a real psychological condition. It does require treatment. Usually treatment is counseling and sometimes medications will be given. Sexual addiction is treated with the same drugs that are used to treat Excessive Compulsive Disorder. These may include Prozac and Anafranil.

If this sounds a little like you, then you should really seek professional help. Sexual addiction can ruin your life and the lives of everybody you know. Don’t wait until you lose your job, your family, or your life.