Sexual Addiction
Information and Resources
The World Health Organization has officially recognized a diagnosis of Compulsive Sexual Behavior (6C92). As defined by WHO, Compulsive Sexual Behavior is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behavior.
Symptom may include:
- Repetitive sexual activities becoming a central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities and responsibilities
- Numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behavior, and
- Continued repetitive sexual behavior despite adverse consequences or deriving little or no satisfaction from it.
The pattern of failure to control intense, sexual impulses or urges and resulting repetitive sexual behavior is manifested over an extended period of time (e.g., 6 months or more), and causes marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Distress that is entirely related to moral judgments and disapproval about sexual impulses, urges, or behaviors is not sufficient to meet this requirement.
REGARDLESS of whether your behavior would meet the aforementioned criteria, it can still be problematic. If you are concerned about your own sexual behaviors, take the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) or contact one of the therapists at Upstate Recovery Center LLC.
Treatment for Sexual Addiction
It is not the job of a sex addiction therapist to determine what is sexually healthy for you. Certified Sex Addiction Therapists do not impose moral, cultural, or religious values on someone else’s sexuality. We provide client-centered and evidence-based treatment based on the medical model of addiction.
The medical model of addiction is respectful and supportive of religious beliefs (the moral model). We want our clients to engage in behaviors that are healthy, safe and legal. We work collaboratively with our clients to determine a recovery plan which is unique to each client. Recovery is not a “one size fits all.”
Treatment Topics (This list is not exhaustive but does include the overall areas of treatment that will be covered during the recovery process):
- Assessment
- Addiction as a Disease (Medical Model of Addiction)
- Breaking through Denial
- Sexual Sobriety Plan
- The Cycle of Addiction
- Addiction Interaction
- Internal and External Triggers
- Tools for the Toolbox
- Family of Origin
- Trauma History
- Guilt versus Shame
- Developing Empathy
- Communication Skills
- Understanding Relationship Dynamics
- Secrecy versus Privacy
- Healthy Sexuality
- Healing Partners
- Healing Families
- Healing Relationships
Resources
Support Groups for Those Struggling with Sex, Love and Porn Addiction:
Sexaholics Anonymous (local): https://www.sa.org/
Sex Addicts Anonymous (local): https://saa-recovery.org/
Porn Addicts Anonymous (local): www.pornaddictsanonymous.org/
Route 1520 (local): www.route1520.com/
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: www.slaafws.org
Recovering Couples Anonymous: www.recovering-couples.org/
Sexual Recovery Anonymous: www.sexualrecovery.org/
Support Groups for Spouses/Partners of Those Struggling with Sex, Love and Porn Addiction:
COSA (local): www.cosa-recovery.org
S-Anon: www.sanon.org
Recovering Couples Anonymous: www.recovering-couples.org/
Professional Organizations and Information
The International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals: www.iitap.com
The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health: www.sash.net
Sex Help: www.sexhelp.com
Sex and Relationship Healing: www.sexandrelationshiphealing.com
Partners of Sex Addicts Resource Center: www.posarc.com
Culture Reframed: www.culturereframed.org
Gary Wilson: www.yourbrainonporn.com
Fight the New Drug: www.fightthenewdrug.org
Books
Facing the Shadow: Starting Sexual and Relationship Recovery by Dr. Patrick Carnes
Contrary to Love: Helping the Sexual Addict by Dr. Patrick Carnes
Don’t Call It Love: Recovery from Sex Addiction by Dr. Patrick Carnes
Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sex Addiction by Dr. Patrick Carnes
Mending a Shattered Heart: A Guide for Partners of Sex Addicts by Dr. Stephanie Carnes
Facing Heartbreak: Steps to Recovery for Partners of Sex Addicts by Dr. Stephanie Carnes
Sex Addiction 101: A Basic Guide to Healing from Sex, Porn, and Love Addiction by Robert Weiss
Sex Addiction 101, the Workbook: 24 Proven Exercises to Guide Sex Addiction Recovery by Robert Weiss
Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men (Second Edition) by Robert Weiss
Out of the Doghouse: A Step-by-Step Relationship-Saving Guide for Men Caught Cheating by Robert Weiss
Always Turned On: Sex Addiction in the Digital Age by Robert Weiss and Dr. Jennifer Schneide
Back from Betrayal: Recovering from the Trauma of Infidelity by Dr. Jennifer Schneider
Disclosing Secrets: An Addict’s Guide to What, to Whom, and How Much to Reveal by Dr. M. Deborah Corley and Dr. Jennifer Schneider
Surviving Disclosure: A Partner’s Guide for Healing and the Betrayal of Intimate Trust by Dr. M. Deborah Corley and Dr. Jennifer Schneider
Your Brain on Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction by Gary Wilson
Facing Love Addiction: Giving Yourself the Power to Change the Way You Love by Pia Mellody
Ready to Heal: Breaking Free of Addictive Relationships by Kelly McDaniel
Intimate Treason: Healing the Trauma for Partners Confronting Sex Addiction by Claudia Black
Erotic Intelligence: Igniting Hot, Healthy Sex While in Recovery from Sex Addiction by Alexandra Katehakis
Mirror of Intimacy: Daily Reflections on Emotional and Erotic Intelligence by Alexandra Katehakis
Naked in Public: A Memoir of Recovery from Sex Addiction and Other Temporary Insanities by Staci Sprout
