[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SEX AND LOVE ADDICTION” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Addictions to sex and love is the preoccupation or obsession with sex or romantic love. It’s a psychological addiction and is thought to effect up to 8% of the population. Although it is yet to be recognised as a disorder in the diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM, a continually updated publication which details mental health illnesses and is used by psychologists and psychiatrists) it is very much a real addiction, with an increasing number of support groups and charities working to assist people to alleviate themselves of their sex and love compulsions.
OUT OF CONTROL
Sex addiction refers to any sexual activity that feels out of control. In can involve sexual activities with another, but can also involve other sexual activities, for example viewing pornography, masturbation, visiting prostitutes or using sex chat lines. A person suffering with sex addiction may feel compulsions to engage in a sexual activity even at the cost of damage to personal relationships, finances or other aspects of their personal life. Sex addiction can be understood as having a similar effect on the brain as substance abuse. When having sex the brain is flooded with strong chemicals, in some people they can become addicted to these chemical alterations in the brain.
Love addiction is different to sex addiction. Love addiction is a psychological addiction to being involved romantically with a partner. Instead of being addicted to the chemical rush as seen in sex addiction, love addicts become addicted to the emotional stability of having someone in your life who cares for you romantically. People who suffer from love addiction tend to also suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of self-identity.
ATTACHMENT
People suffering with sex and love addictions might report strongly attached to people that they know little about. They sometimes report the feeling of needing to be rescued. Many people with love addiction feel that in relationships they become obsessive and needy. Fantasising is also strongly linked with sex and love addiction. A person may spend a significant amount of time in the day fantasising about sexual or romantic scenarios. People also often admit that they have long term problems when it comes to relationships and intimacy
Recovering from a sex or love addiction involves psychological therapy, similar to that of substance addictions. There are many support groups where meetings are held for people who share similar additions, and who follow 12 step programs similar to alcoholics anonymous programs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]
