Sex Addiction Treatment
Those who suffer from sex addiction have to overcome many obstacles on their path to treatment. Many sex addicts do not recognize their behaviors as unhealthy and harmful towards others, so the first obstacle is often realizing that they have a problem and need help. Much like drug addicts, sex addicts often need to experience significant negative consequences due to their addiction before they become willing to begin treatment. The negative consequences may be social, physical, emotional, legal or financial. For those who wish to evaluate themselves or another for sexual addiction, Patrick Carnes’ book Out of the Shadows is an essential resource. The book lays out the criteria for diagnosing different levels of sexual addiction. Once a sex addict reaches the point when they begin to desire a change, then treatment begins. There are professional and self-help options for sex addiction treatment.
Self-help
Several 12-step programs are available for sex addicts. Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) are all popular 12-step programs for sex addiction recovery. Each program has a unique approach to ‘sexual sobriety’. Sex addiction meetings are often divided up by gender.
Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) allows members to create a personal ideal of sexual sobriety. They identify compulsive and destructive behaviors and vow to remain abstinent of them by working the 12 steps. Then they identify acceptable sexual behaviors such as healthy, faithful relationships. Then they identify a third group of behaviors as a dangerous middle ground to be avoided. These behaviors may include talking to old partners or getting into risky situations.
Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) has a clearly defined term of sexual sobriety for all members. Through the 12 steps, members of SA remain abstinent of all forms of sex, including masturbation. Members can add their own ‘bottom-line’ to their program of abstinence. Their bottom-line may include behaviors such as viewing pornography or fantasizing. SA is criticized by some for defining the ideal sexual relationship to be only a heterosexual marriage.
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) allows members to create their own definition of sobriety and incorporates not only sexual behaviors but also emotional problems. Achieving a healthy, committed relationship is a key part of the SLAA program. Behaviors that are treated in SLAA include extreme dependency on others, sexual compulsions, obsessions with romance or love and addiction to pornography.
Professional Help
Individuals who need sex addiction help may want to seek treatment therapy from a professional. Sex addiction counseling should always be conducted by a qualified professional who has knowledge in the specialized field. It is important that the counselor is able to identify other disorders and differentiate them from a sexual addiction. Sex addiction therapy usually takes a cognitive-behavioral approach and may include the use of medication. Medication can help with underlying disorders that may contribute to compulsive sexual behavior, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or bipolar disorder.
Inpatient sex addiction treatment is a popular choice for sex addicts. The level of treatment that a person needs depends on the severity of their addiction. Inpatient treatment greatly increases the chance of recovery for those with a severe sexual addiction. The removal from all sexual images and sexual partners can be extremely helpful in early recovery. Inpatient treatment gives the addict a solid foundation for recovery.