sex addiction

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Sex Addiction Perth

Porn & Sex Addiction, also known as Compulsive Sexual Behavior, is a growing problem and causes many of the same negative effects that substance abuse does. These include breakdowns in other major life areas, specifically relationships with spouses and children, loss of productivity, absenteeism and other stressors which can find their way into the workplace. 

Research indicates that somewhere between 3.5% and 6% of the population suffer from compulsive sexual behaviour. That is the same range as the percentage of people who suffer from addiction to illicit drugs. 

sex addiction Perth

Sex addiction, which can also be called “sexual compulsivity,” “hypersexuality,” or “hypersexual disorder,” is a pre-occupation with sex, often involving the obsessive pursuit of sexual encounters (pornography, casual sex, anonymous sex, prostitutes, compulsive masturbation, as examples). 

Most often a pattern of urges, fantasies, and behaviors continues for a period of at least six months, or re-occurs after a period of abstinence despite: 

  • Attempts made to self-correct the problematic sexual behaviour 
  • Promises made to self and others to change the sexual behaviour 
  • Significant, negative life consequences such as relationship instability, emotional chaos, physical health problems, career trouble, and legal issues 

Below is a list of question to help your recognize concerns. Consider your entire sexual history not just recent behaviors. For example: If you were abusing porn several years ago but have switched to hook-up apps, massage parlors or meeting people for sex, you should still put a check mark beside your past porn use. It is also important to note that watching porn is considered a sexual behavior. 

  • Do you tell yourself, or have you told yourself that you were going to watch porn for a short period of time and then found yourself spending more time or than originally intended? 
  • Are you keeping, or have you kept your sexual behavior (including watching porn) a secret from your spouse or partner? 
  • Has the type of porn you watch changed from when you first started watching it? For example: you may have started looking at magazines and now watch online or: you may have started watching erotica and now watch more graphic content. 
  • Do you ever regret the amount of time you spend fantasizing about, searching for and engaging in sexual activities? 
  • Would your relationship with your spouse or partner be at risk if they were to know the full extent of your sexual behavior? 
  • If you are in a committed relationship, do you find yourself repeatedly or frequently engaging in secret sexual relationships or casual sexual activities? 
  • Has your partner, employer, family or friends expressed concern about, or questioned your sexual activities? 
  • Have you ever told yourself that you would stop viewing certain porn sites, certain types of porn, going in chat rooms or engaging in hook-ups only to find yourself doing it again? 
  • Have you purchase services online for erotic/sexual purposes, including memberships on dating sites, online chat, memberships on porn sites or memberships specifically for hooking-up sexually? 
  • Have you participated in activities or behaviors which were risky? (including unprotected sex) 
  • Has your sexual or romantic behavior caused you to lose anyone or anything that is important to you? (romantic relationships, family, friends, career, money, self-esteem community standing) 
  • Have you ever paid for sexual services? 
  • Have you ever received money for sexual services? 
  • Do you become irritated, defensive or anxious after abstaining from sexual activity for a period of time 
  • Are you in crisis over your sexual behavior with your spouse, partner, family, friends or at work? 
  • Do you cancel or avoid other events and activities so you can engage in sexual activities? 
  • Has your obsessive focus (time spent thinking about and planning) on sex caused you to neglect or reduced your ability to focus and be present with your romantic partner, work, friends, family, interests, school, recreation or other activities? 
  • Do you view, download, share or distribute illegal images or videos or engage in illegal activities such as voyeurism, exhibitionism or prostitution? 

Types of Sex Addiction

Again, because of the lack of consensus regarding how – or whether at all – to classify sex addiction as a distinct disorder, there are no universally agreed categories of sex addiction in which any individual case can be placed. however, various different types of sex addiction have been identified by those treating the disease, mostly determined by the type of sex sought out by the individual addict (though of course a person can be interested in, and seek out, more than one form of sexual activity).

Observing others engaging in sex, usually from a concealed position, and possibly masturbating whilst you watch.

Exhibitionism

Having sex in places where you can be, or run the risk of being, seen by others. You may also find sexual pleasure in exposing your genitals to others.

Paying for sex

Paying someone else, such as a prostitute, to have sex with you; or paying someone to perform sexually before you, either in person or online (ie, via a webcam).

Trading sex

Being paid – usually in money, but also potentially in other forms including drugs – to have sex with somebody else.

Anonymous sex

Having sex with strangers, possibly at established locations for such encounters or via arrangements online.

S&M/pain exchange sex

Having sexual encounters in which inflicting and receiving pain is a key component.

Humiliating sex

Participating in sex in which the humiliation and degradation of one of the parties is the objective

Rough/violent sex

Having sex in which social norms regarding aggression and violence are ignored, and in which one party may behave savagely towards the other, potentially causing physical harm. This may also comprise acting out consensual rape and/or other sexual assault.

Non-consensual/intrusive sex

Engaging in sexual activity without the consent of the other party. This can constitute rape and/or sexual assault, which are serious criminal offences typically punishable by long prison sentences.

If you recognise yourself/behaviours with one or two of these questions, you are at risk for sexual addiction. If you have checked three or more there is a definite possibility you are sexually addicted and should seek help. 

If you checked the last question, you should seek the assistance of our qualified counsellors who is skilled in handling these matters.  

Our Counselling program is designed for people who either know they are struggling with compulsive sexual behaviour or are worried about it. 

If Porn or Sex Addiction negatively impacts you or somebody you care about