Sex addiction: conceptualization, how to identify it, and treatment

Nowadays, sex addiction It is not recognized as such, although it could be considered a behavioral addiction.

In any case, it seems relevant that we dedicate clinical attention to it, since there is a specific demand, sufficient and growing by part of the population, linked to the abundant consequences and discomfort caused by this pathology.

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What is a behavioral addiction?

Before specifying what sex addiction consists of, it is worth remembering those aspects that characterize a behavioral addiction. Firstly, the loss of control over the behavior and, secondly, the dependency.

It is also important to point out that addictive behaviors are initially controlled by positive reinforcers, that is, they are carried out for the pleasure they generate; while as the addiction develops, the behaviors become controlled by negative reinforcers or, what is the same, they are carried out with the aim of reducing discomfort.

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The characteristics of sex addiction

Now, we could define addiction to sex as excessive sexual desire (sex-related fantasies, recurrent arousal, impulses and sexual activity) linked to components of impulsivity and compulsivity, which entail a pathological inability to control said desire and which is related both to a deficit in the inhibitory control and hyperactivity of dopamine receptors, such as with sensation seeking, pleasure, and reinforcement positive.

When identifying a possible addiction to sex, it is necessary to know if a series of criteria are met. First of all, time spent in sexual activity must interfere in the fulfillment of the obligations and responsibilities of the person.

Second, sex should be used either as a way to regulate dysphoric moods, such as anxiety, irritability, or depression, or as a a response to stressful life events.

Also, as we said at the beginning, there must be an inability to control or reduce sexual activity.

Finally, It must be assessed whether the behavior persists despite the fact that it generates social problems, emotional or physical to the individual or people around her. In this sense, it is common to find that people with this pathology present higher levels of risk behaviors.

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Other keys to detect addiction to sex

As with substance addiction, in sex addiction symptoms of tolerance are present. (progressively more intense or frequent sexual activity is needed to achieve initial satisfaction) and abstinence (After a period of sexual abstinence, symptoms appear that, in this case, become emotional in nature – irritability, anxiety, despondency, etc.).

Sex-addicted individuals often display anxious-avoidant attachment., which leads them to experience relationships with insecurity and fear of abandonment, as well as to understand that others They are not trustworthy, so the person's reaction is to try not to get too attached to the others. others. Therefore, they tend to seek sexual activity that does not contain an affective component.

On the other hand, at a cognitive-emotional level, it has been observed that they show high cognitive rigidity, poor judgment, and deficits in emotional regulation.

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How to treat sex addiction?

Although not all behavioral addictions are the same, nor are the individuals who suffer from them, there are aspects common in terms of motivation for treatment, setting therapeutic goals, and choice of treatment techniques. intervention.

The most contrasted treatments and endorsed by empirical research are those of cutting cognitive-behavioralas well as self-help groups.

Unlike other types of addictions, such as addictions with substances or pathological gambling, in addiction to sex it is not possible to set absolute abstinence as a goal, since, despite being an uncontrolled behavior, it is necessary in daily life. Therefore, the main therapeutic objective will fall on the relearning of behavior control, in order to be able to make a rational use of it.

It could be said that the final result of the treatment is a change in the person's lifestyle, however, for this, another series of specific goals must first be achieved.

First, there must be a motivation for the treatment., which results from the awareness of the problem on the part of the individual, from the establishment of an adequate alliance therapy and the collapse of the resistances that the patient presents through the assessment of pros and cons of the conduct. In addition, the person must assume the need for external help.

Once these first steps have been taken, we will be able to contemplate the preparation of the person for the change and then focus on relearning behavior. To do this, a stimulus control is carried out, through which the associated stimuli are avoided. to the lack of control of the conduct in question (for example, restricting access to the Internet and pages for not). At the same time, appropriate coping responses must be learned in situations that may trigger consumption.

Next, it is necessary for the individual to begin to gradually and controlled exposure to different situations and risk stimuli. This supposes that the person can, initially under external control and later through his own self-regulation, begin to carry out sexual behaviors. With this, it seeks to achieve through a habituation mechanism that the craving for behavior is extinguished.

Finally, it will be necessary to establish a relapse prevention plan, which contemplates the identification of risk situations, the modification of cognitive distortions, the change of expectations about the consequences of behavior problem, impulse control, free time planning and the solution of specific problems through the application of coping strategies suitable.