ARTICLES

Signs of Sexual Addiction: How to Overcome Sex Addiction

Sex addiction can be described as the compulsive urge to engage in sexual intercourse. A person with sexual addiction may have multiple sex partners, and they can’t escape for a few days without engaging in sexual activities.

Sex addiction is the worst of all addictions, and it may be difficult to stop if not treated on time. For some people, sex addiction can be highly dangerous and can result in sexual frustration, guilt, shame, depression, and issues in relationships.

Signs of sex addiction:

If you find yourself spending half of your income on prostitutes, hookups, dating multiple partners, watching pornography at work, seeking extramarital affairs, thinking about sex all the time, masturbating frequently, sexually harassing other people, having unprotected sex with strangers, having sex with prostitutes, or engaging in prostitution, missing work and other important events to have sex, and constant cheating, among others. If you observe these signs in your lifestyle, these are all symptoms of sex addiction, and you need to get help to overcome it as soon as possible.

What is the cause of sex addiction?

Sex addiction manifests itself in different ways, such as through pornography, a compulsive need to masturbate, sexual abuse, and a spouse with a high libido.

1. Pornography.

Pornography is one of the major causes of sex addiction, as people might want to practice what they watch on screen, so they either masturbate, pay for sex, or date multiple partners to satisfy the compulsive behavior. If a man or woman loves to watch porn, such a person could be a victim of sex addiction.

2. A Spouse with a High Libido.

Dating a partner with a high libido who constantly demands sex can initiate you into having more sexual activities, and this may become an addiction for you. For example, if your spouse always demands sex whenever you meet, the more you do that thing frequently, the more you may become addicted to it.

Some people didn’t just wake up to become sex addicts; it could be the frequent demand for sex by their partner that made them addicts.

3. Sexual Abuse.

Some women who were victims of sexual abuse at an early stage of life might face sexual addiction issues. This may be connected to their early exposure to sex as teenagers.

I’ve met a lady who explained to me that she became addicted to sex because of her uncle, who abused her sexually when she was still a teenager, and now she finds it difficult to quit.

How to overcome sex addiction

Sex addiction, also known as hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior, is a complex and challenging issue that affects individuals from all walks of life. It can lead to serious consequences, impacting relationships, mental health, and overall well-being.

Overcoming sex addiction requires courage, self-awareness, and a multifaceted approach that includes professional help, support systems, and personal commitment. Below are some helpful tips to overcome sexual addiction:

1. Identify the Root Cause.

A person with sex addiction needs to sit down and think about the root cause of their compulsive behavior. You should ask yourself this question: Am I a porn lover? Is it my relationship that makes me addicted to sex? Is it alcohol, my friends, or dating multiple partners?

Think about when it started, how it happened, what triggers you, and with whom? By identifying the root cause of your sexual addiction, overcoming it becomes easier.

2. Determination to Quit.

To overcome sex addiction, you must have the determination to quit and be ready to make some sacrifices to ensure that you get out of this bondage. If you have had sex every day before, now is the time to reduce it to once a week. Though this may be difficult at first, you will surely overcome it with strong determination.

When you prepare yourself to quit, your body, mind, and brain will be forced to follow. Remember, you have control over your body; they don’t have power over you. Every time you wake up from your bed, tell yourself, “I’m not having sex today, and I won’t do it.”

3. Discipline Yourself.

You must discipline yourself to abstain from sex for a while and avoid anything that may have to do with sex, like pornography. Delete all the porn on your phone and block access to porn TV, which may trigger the urge for sex.

If you are dating multiple partners or have more sexual partners, I think this is the best time to give them space. Tell them you need space for a while and focus on getting out of this bondage. If you make physical contact with them, you might fall into the temptation of having sex with them again. People who date multiple partners might be sex addicts due to sexual demands from their partners.

4. Talk to Your Partner.

At this stage, you need help, and you shouldn’t hide what you are facing. Perhaps open communication is one way to navigate issues in a relationship. Tell your spouse about your craving for sex and come up with a plan on how to overcome this together. For instance, if you guys meet every day and have sex every time, you need to set boundaries in the relationship. Instead of meeting every time, you could adjust it to once a week or once a month and see how it goes.

However, if your spouse is the reason you are addicted to sex because you always want to satisfy their sexual demands, I still recommend the same therapy for you. You need to give them space.

5. Exercising.

When you feed into your addiction, exercise can replace it, as that stimulates endorphins, or “happy cells,” in your brain. Therefore, using exercise can help overcome sexual addiction. That particular moment you feel the urge to have sex, try exercising instead or doing some other things that may distract you from succumbing to your compulsive behavior.

6. Pray.

For those who are believers, you know that prayer is powerful and can solve many problems. There is a sense of relief when you scream out for help to God. With God, all things are possible, and you will surely overcome it.

Sex addiction sometimes goes beyond the physical. If you observe that you can open your legs for any man out of control or sleeping with different women, this could be the devil’s plan to destroy your life and spiritual growth. At this point, prayer is the key. You may have to seek advice and help from your religious leader or prophets to pray with you when possible.

7. Stay Away from Places That Trigger Your Addiction.

Are there particular places that trigger your addiction? Like hanging out with friends, clubs, or some events? You need to avoid these places. Certain behaviors might trigger addictive behaviors. For example, maybe you had a one-night stand during a friend’s birthday party; figure out a way to prevent this from happening again. If you are attending a party next time, try to go with a friend instead of staying alone at a hotel.

Make sure you delete the contact information of hookup girls or sexual partners from your phone, computer, and other devices. Notify your sexual partners that you will no longer be having an affair with them.

8. Build A Healthy Relationship.

Overcoming sex addiction doesn’t mean you must stop having sex now or forever. Instead, it means you are no longer a slave to sex, and you don’t allow your compulsive behavior to control you. You are in charge of your sexual activity and happy about it instead of feeling guilty or ashamed.

If you build a healthy relationship with a partner who you genuinely love, you can have sex when you want, and it won’t be as compulsive as it has always been in the past.

9. Focus on Your Life Goals.

One of the easiest ways to overcome sex addiction is to focus on your goals. You need to see life beyond just sex. Your recovery from addictive sex will take time, and you may experience cravings. It’s fine to have sex with your spouse, who you are intimate with, but watching porn, having a one-night stand, or patronizing prostitutes could return your addiction.

Stay focused on your goals and keep searching for ways to keep yourself busy. You can join a choir band, write journals, listen to music, watch gospel and Islamic movies, or try some new hobbies.

In addition, drugs and alcohol can trigger sex addiction. If you are battling with sexual addiction, you may have to limit or quit these substances.

10. Seek Professional Help.

Recovering from sex addiction often necessitates professional assistance. Consider consulting a qualified therapist or counselor who specializes in sex addiction or compulsive behavior. A therapist can provide a safe space to explore underlying issues, emotional triggers, and coping mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and support groups have been effective in addressing sex addiction.

How long does it take to stop being addicted to sex?

This depends on how ready you are to stop being an addict. It could take you six months or more to fully recover. If you can make up your mind and practice these tips in this article, you will regain your freedom from sex bondage.

What if my partner keeps demanding sex?

Overcoming sexual addiction doesn’t mean you will stop having sex; rather, it means having dominion over your body. So, if your partner says they want it, you can discuss with them that you are trying to overcome your sexual addiction and that you need to limit your sexual activities.

An understanding partner will help you overcome this together, and if they are not ready to help you, you need to give them space to fully recover. The reason is that you might end up doing it again and again, thus making it difficult for you to quit.

I only have sex with My partner, and it’s not every time. Am I an addict too?

Sex is important in relationships, health, and overall well-being. Having sex with your partner doesn’t make you an addict. It is recommended that couples have sex four times a month.

If you see yourself patronizing prostitutes, dating multiple partners, and having an extreme craving for sex, you are already there. Some people are addicted to sex in different ways, and they don’t have access to sexual partners like others do. In cases like this, the person might be addicted to other sexual addictions like excessive masturbation and pornography. If you recognize these signs, you need to seek help to overcome them as soon as possible.