Sexual addiction is very much a “real problem” and is estimated to affect 3 to 6 percent of Americans.
In order to fully appreciate sexual addiction as a genuine disorder, it helps to examine the question: What is the difference between a sexual addict and a promiscuous person?
One major difference between a sexual addict and promiscuous person is that a sexual addict’s behaviors frequently interfere with the social, occupational, or recreational activities in their life. Let’s illustrate this point by looking at two fictional people whom I’ll call “Bob” and “Phil.”
Case #1: Bob, an unmarried graduate student, is promiscuous. He has one night stands once every few months. When he goes out with a woman, he usually sleeps with her before the third date. He estimates that he has had about 50 sexual partners in his life. Bob is at the top of his class, has many friends, and has had several long-term relationships in the past, all in which he remained faithful.
Case #2: Phil is also single and promiscuous. He has had close to 25 sexual partners in his life. Phil is a bit of a recluse, staying in on Friday and Saturday nights in order to browse personal ads and online dating sites. He has a job, but has been reprimanded several times for what his boss views as “excessive daydreaming” while at work. During these daydreams, Phil is thinking about sex 98% of the time. Even though he knows one more incident will cost him his job, Phil can’t stop doing it.
Examining these two cases, we see that Bob has had about 25 more sexual partners than Phil. Yet which person would you guess is more likely to be a sexual addict?
If you guessed Phil, you are correct. Phil’s preoccupations with sex are negatively affecting his social and occupational functioning. Bob’s sexual behaviors, on the other hand, do not seem to be interfering with any areas of his life.
While the above examples were purely fictitious, hopefully it better illustrated the difference between promiscuity and sexual addiction. Interference with life activities is only one of many criteria in the diagnosis of sexual addiction. This diagnosable disorder is very real, and sufferers need to be treated.
If you think that you or someone you know might be a sexual addict, I encourage you to seek professional guidance.
To learn more about sex addiction, please click here.
