Sex addiction

[aimouse]

A uk survey today repots that more and more people are seeking help with sex addiction, especially in the context of internet porn.

So several questions for debate :

- Do you consider yourself a sex addict?
- If so, do you see that as a problem?
- When does it become considered addiction?
- Is it possible to get help (in the uk) for sex addiction without having to pay or go through your gp?

 

[EjAcKuLaToR]

- Do you consider yourself a sex addict? No.
- If so, do you see that as a problem? I don't see it as a problem because I'm not addicted.
- When does it become considered addiction? When you can't do without it and you don't think you can control yourself.
- Is it possible to get help (in the uk) for sex addiction without having to pay or go through your gp? Don't know...sorry...I live in the US.

I don't think this has as much to do with me (or others) as it has to do with you "aimouse".
If you can't walk away from your internet connection then you need help.
If you can walk away from it, then you don't.

Being addicted to sex is just like that. If you can separate yourself from it and function as a "normal" human being by maintaining a job, going to the grocery store, doing all the functions you "should" be able to do as an adult, and you're not consumed and affected by sex, then you're good to go (at least in my opinion). If you can't do those things then you definitely have a problem.

Are you doing the internet sex thing because you're bored? It is easy, gratifying, etc. so I can understand why someone could get used to it, but you could just be lazy or bored.

Try doing something else.

 

[alaskabibear]

True Addictions are Serious Problems

In general true addiction occurs when we cross that line where we are getting a "fix" of brain chemicals/hormones which give us a sense of "fulfillment and satisfaction". In general it is the same brain chemicals that are acting regardless of the "addiction". In other words, a person with an eating addiction receives the same comfort from food as a porn/sex addict gets from the porn. The danger with addictions is that once our brain finds out how to get that "fix" of good feelings, it becomes obsessive in it's desire and drive for it to continue (thus the addiction). The danger is that this obsession can become all consuming and thereby rob us of true satisfaction as we begin to ignore the other important aspects of our lives and relationships.

I think the person involved must first answer the question as to whether or not their normal enjoyment of sex/porn has tipped over to becoming excessive (e.g. is the addictive behavior taking up a disproportionate amount of ones time and money etc.). It does become a problem when it is an addiction because an addict becomes controlled by his desire for his "fix" to the detriment of his normal happiness and well being (and that is regardless of the addiction - not just sex/porn). Don't know about treatment options in the UK, but some reading and understanding of the mechanisms of addiction "might" be enough to help a strong person fight off the addiction. But, the addictions can become so strong that professional help is needed (again, regardless of the addiction).

 

[SweetErika]

- Do you consider yourself a sex addict?

No.

- When does it become considered addiction?

When it starts to interfere with your normal life, such as relationships, work/school, friendships, hobbies. If you're declining invitations to go out with people you like to stay home and look at porn on a fairly regular basis, for instance, you may have a problem with addiction. Another example would be taking risks you wouldn't normally take to feed your desire to look at porn or have sex - putting your finances at risk to buy porn, having sex with prostitutes because you have an overwhelming urge to get off, not being able to wait until you get home from work or school to look at porn, thus putting your job at risk, etc.

- Is it possible to get help (in the uk) for sex addiction without having to pay or go through your gp?

I don't know what the process for getting mental health and/or addiction care in the UK is, but I'm assuming those are the channels you'd have to go through.

Having to go through your GP or not, if you think you may have a problem with any kind of addiction, you need to be evaluated by a professional so you can learn what kind of help you likely need and get it asap.

 

[smotherman]

- Do you consider yourself a sex addict? No

- If so, do you see that as a problem? I'm not addicted so no problem

- When does it become considered addiction? When you can't function and you're consumed with the thought of sex and it takes over your life

- Is it possible to get help (in the uk) for sex addiction without having to pay or go through your gp? Not sure, I'm in the US. You can ask, there has to be some type of program for sex addiction free of charge.

 

[SweetErika]

AI, now that I think about it, we have Sex Addicts Anonymous here and they may have the same, or something similar, there in the UK. As the name implies, it's a support program like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. I'd imagine that, like Overeaters Anonymous, they believe in dealing with sex in a healthy way, rather than abstaining, like AA and NA.

Here anyone who thinks they might have a problem or needs some kind of support can go to the meetings. It doesn't require speaking to your GP, or anyone else, so that might be your best bet for getting yourself or someone you love help w/o any kind of referral.

 

[aimouse]

I don't think this has as much to do with me (or others) as it has to do with you "aimouse".

Free psychoanalysis and so deep an insite from just 4 questions! LOL Damn, you're good ;p

But you're presuming a little too much...
According to all these replies I'm clearly not an addict.
My questions were motivated as follows:
Many people are on this site every day. It's all about sex. So when does it cross the line & become an addition?
Since the first step to getting over an addiction is admitting it, I was curios to know if anyone felt safe enough to do so.
I know if I had any kind of addiction I wouldn't want it on record anywhere, as these sorts of things have a habbit of biting you on the ass. So in an era when the media is obsessed with outing "sex pests" and selling with sex at the same time, I was curious to know whether it's possible to get help for sex addiction without it going on record.

But thanks for everyone's concern. But it did make me laugh.