Sex. It can be for love and intimacy, procreation or pleasure. But sometimes, the strive for pleasure can go too far. Sex addiction is a disorder where someone has an unhealthy obsession with sex. This can include seeking, participating in, or watching sexual activities. Similar to other types of addiction such as drugs and alcohol, a sex addict is often looking for their next “fix.”

Sex addiction can be very dangerous if you are willing to go extreme lengths to engage in sexual activities. It can also be extremely difficult on romantic relationships and even personal relationships between family and friends.

If you or a loved one are looking for treatment for sex addiction in South Jersey, contact Harmony Bay Wellness today.

Signs of sex addiction

It’s natural to have a healthy sex drive, but when sex becomes more important than the other areas of your life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities, there might be cause for concern.

Here are some tell-tale signs of sex addiction:

• Obsessive thoughts surrounding sex
• Lying to hide sexual behaviors
• Inability to control sexual urges
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors to participate in sexual activities
• Experiencing negative consequences as a result of sexual encounters such as loss of a job, strained personal and professional relationships, and legal problems
• Engaging in risky sexual behaviors
• Feeling shame or guilt after having sex but continuing the behavior

Some people may see sex as a way to form emotional connections and further develop intimacy. However, that is not usually the case when it comes to someone with sex addiction. Instead, if you are addicted to sex, you may be trying to relieve anxiety, depression, or different types of psychological tension.

The dangers of sex addiction

In the quest to find the high from sex, you may find yourself seeking out multiple partners, sometimes including strangers. This can prove to be risky in itself because you don’t know what a stranger’s motives and intentions may be.

If you are not using protection during sexual encounters, you can run the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and human papillomavirus. When left undetected or untreated, these diseases can take a serious toll on your health and can potentially be life-threatening.

In the case of addiction, sex may be numbing. So, it’s common for people who are addicted to sex to also begin using and abusing substances such as drugs and alcohol as well. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can heighten the potential of ending up in risky and dangerous situations.

All of this being said, there are ways to free yourself from sex addiction.

Sex addiction treatment near me

Even with society becoming more open when it comes to addressing sensitive topics, sex can still be considered a taboo topic. So, it might be nerve-wracking to open up and admit that you need help to treat your sex addiction. That’s where Harmony Bay Wellness can help. We are a safe space that can provide you will a customized treatment program so you can live a life that doesn’t revolve around sex.

There are different approaches to treating sex addiction. Some examples are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication-assisted therapy (MAT), individual therapy, group therapy, and 12-step programs if substances are involved. With these types of treatment options, you will be able to uncover and identify the behaviors and emotions that trigger your sexual urges.

Our team of experts at our outpatient behavioral health facility will help you live free from sex addiction. Contact our team today at 855.857.6050 to learn more about treatment options.