An addiction is a chronic disorder in which an individual is blinded by a substance, or engages in an activity, that gives them an immense amount of pleasure but has become detrimental to their everyday life. Compulsive behaviors and addictions can temporarily provide confidence, control, validation or other emotions lacking in one’s life, but the behavior may not stop until the root of the problem is addressed.
I have specialized training in sexual addiction. Sexual addiction is an unhealthy/pathological relationship with sexual activity of any/all types. It is uncontrolled, compulsive sexual behavior that cause extremely negative consequences and makes life and relationships unmanageable. This is manifesting most commonly in the exposure and use of pornography. Sex addiction can be a significant barrier to true intimacy. If the client is willing to admit and own the addiction, healing can occur and trust can be re-built.
Seek Professional Assistance
People who have developed an addiction may be unaware that it is out of control, which is why counseling is an essential part of working through and managing this condition. An addiction of any sort can be exhausting and one should never go through the recovery process alone.
Many treatment plans focus on talk therapy and behavior therapy and can be performed in a group or through one-on-one sessions. During these sessions, patients analyze the reasons behind their addiction(s), what triggers are and what helped them control impulses in the past. Patients also learn coping skills and create a recovery plan so they can manage the compulsions without relapsing.