Sexual Addiction
What Is Sexual
Addiction?
Sex addiction is a compulsive obsession with sexual
behaviors that interferes with normal living.
Sex addicts may prioritize sex over family,
friends or work.
Is My Loved One A Sex Addict?
While there is no one defining characteristic
of sexual addiction, a sex addict may display
one or more of the following characteristics:
compulsive relationships
exhibitionism
prostitution
dangerous sexual practices
indecent phone calls
child molestation
voyeurism
compulsive masturbation
incest
obsession with pornography
rape and violence
Sex Addicts Anonymous suggests the
following twelve questions as a tool for individual
assessment:
1. Does this person keep secrets about his/her
sexual or romantic activities from those important
to him/her? Does this person lead a double life?
2. Is this person driven to by needs to have sex
in places or situations or with people he/she
would not normally choose?
3. Does this person frequently look for sexually
arousing articles or scenes in newspapers, magazines,
or other media?
4. Do romantic or sexual fantasies interfere with
this person’s relationships or prevent him/her
from facing problems?
5. Does this person frequently want to get away
from a sex partner after having sex? Does he/she
frequently feel remorse, shame, or guilt after
a sexual encounter?
6. Does this person feel shame about his/her body
or sexuality, such that he/she avoids touching
his/her body or engaging in sexual relationships?
Does this person fear that he/she has no sexual
feelings, that he/she is asexual?
7. Does each new relationship this person engages
in continue to have the same destructive patterns
which prompted him/her to leave the last relationship?
8. Is it taking more variety and frequency of
sexual and romantic activities than previously
to bring this person the same levels of excitement
and relief?
9. Has this person ever been arrested or is he/she
in danger of being arrested because of his/her
practices of voyeurism, exhibitionism, prostitution,
sex with minors, indecent phone calls, etc.?
10. Does this person’s pursuit of sex or
romantic relationships interfere with his/her
spiritual beliefs or development?
11. Does this person’s sexual activities
include the risk, threat, or reality of disease,
pregnancy, coercion, or violence?
12. Has this person’s sexual or romantic
behavior ever left him/her feeling hopeless, alienated
from others, or suicidal?
I Know That My Loved One
Is A Sex Addict – Now What?
Many individuals have approached their loved one
regarding his/her sex addiction, with no success.
It may be helpful when talking with your
loved one, to have a third party present that
is professionally trained and knowledgeable about
sex addiction.
Addiction Intervention Resources moves your family
out of crisis and assists in addressing your loved
one’s sex addiction.
To read more information on our Intervention Programs, Click Here or call our National Call Center 800.561.8158