Sex Addiction: You’re Not Alone.
About 3-6% of North America identify as having sex addiction (17 Mil to 35 million)
In Canada that adds up to 1.2 to 2.4 Million of the population. This is not an insignificant number.
NOTE:
I’ve intentionally left this as its own section because of its nuances. In recovery, addiction to sex and porn can be the rock that people aren’t “willing to look under”. The topic can feel uncomfortable. It’s one that’s not as broadly accepted, understood, or even recognized. Possibly because it deals with things so intimate, so personal and so harming.
Subtle Signs of Sex Addictions
- Friends and loved ones make note of your “wandering eyes”
- Excessive Porn Use
- Avoidance of social situations in order to be on chat rooms, porn sites and/or cam sites
- Lying, keeping sexual behaviors secret from a partner or loved one
- General feelings of isolation
- A preoccupation on being sexual
- Consistently late for work and social responsibilities
- Bath houses, strip clubs and/or massage parlours are a regular occurrence
- A preference to porn and masturbation over being sexual with your partner
The Tough Pill to Swallow
There is a stigma to sex addiction and it does a disservice to those who struggle. Just like any other addiction, people of all walks of life can find themselves using sex as a coping mechanism. No one wishes to be gripped in the vice of sex addiction. Just like any other addiction, people of any economic status, of any faith, of any walk of life, can start coping with porn, masturbation, or hook up culture, and find that they have lost control of.
Critical Signs of Sex Addiction
- Increased Risky Behavior
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s)
- Risking Personal or Financial Insecurity to Continue Sexual Behavior
- Excommunication from Community and/or Family due to Inappropriate Behavior
- Illegal Activity Online or In Person
- Physical Harm to the Body
- Engaging in Activity that Can and End Up Leading to Blackmail
- Loss of Employment or Serious Reprimand due to Inappropriate Behavior
The Coach Approach with Sex Addiction
Recovery from Sex Addiction is a process that requires patience, commitment, and hard work. Recovery Coaching in this area can explore impact, accountability, boundaries, and defining healthy sexuality. With an empathetic, compassionate approach while allowing room for truth telling, encouragement and challenging. Mindfulness, Envisioning, SMART goals may be used to foster discoveries and objectives.
