Although there are no distinct categories when it comes to sexual addiction, you do get many different types. Some people may only experience one form of the condition, whereas others may fall victim to several.
If you are thinking about or have already entered recovery, it can prove very helpful to identify which of the sex addiction types you suffer from.
- Fantasy sex – many people struggling with sex addiction find refuge in fantasy sex. This may include sexually charged fantasies, relationships and situations.
- Seductive role sex – arousal is based on conquest and diminishes rapidly after initial contact. As with many of the other sex addiction types, this often occurs when there is a fear of abandonment. The sufferer believes that having more than one relationship is a way to stop themselves from getting hurt.
- Voyeuristic sex – the use of visual stimulation to escape into an obsessive trance. This type of sex addiction usually involves objectifying the other person.
- Exhibitionistic sex – this occurs when sexual arousal stems from the reaction of the viewer, regardless of whether it’s shock or interest. Those suffering with this type of addiction may introduce themselves to others in an inappropriate way or seek attention with no intention of it going further – their behavior is purely just to tease.
- Paying for sex – arousal is connected to paying for sex and with time, the arousal actually becomes connected to the money itself. Often, people find themselves seeking the intimacy of a sexual encounter without the hassle of a relationship.
- Trading sex – another type of sex addiction is when someone regularly tries to gain control of others by using sex as leverage.
- Intrusive sex – arousal occurs by violating boundaries. This can include touching people in crowds or making obscene phone calls.
- Anonymous sex – this occurs when people have to experience fear in order for arousal to occur. They may find themselves engaging in high-risk sex with unknown people.
- Pain exchange sex – using humiliation or pain as part of sexual arousal. The sufferer may wish the pain to be inflicted on themselves or their partner or both.
- Exploitative sex – exploitation of the vulnerable. They may use grooming behavior to build the trust of their victim. Arousal is often dependent on the vulnerability of the subject.
Signs of sex addiction
If you think that you or someone you know may have a sex addiction, below are some of the most common signs:
- Being preoccupied with thoughts of sex.
- Trying to cut down on your encounters but being unsuccessful in doing so.
- Spending considerable time on activities related to sex such as looking for potential partners, visiting pornographic websites and frequenting venues where this type of behavior is encouraged.
- Neglecting responsibilities such as work and family in pursuit of sex.
- Continuing to engage in sexual behaviors despite the consequences.
- Needing to increase the frequency or intensity of sexual activity in order to achieve the desired effect.
- Feeling irritable when unable to engage in the desired behavior.
- Putting your safety at risk just for the sake of getting a fix.
Unfortunately, addiction is not something that people can deal with by themselves and they will need therapy in order to enter recovery successfully. Sex addiction can be particularly difficult to overcome for many reasons.
Firstly, sex plays a prominent part in our society. It features heavily in television shows, films and even advertising. When it feels like you’re surrounded by temptation, it can be difficult to forget about the addiction and avoid relapse.
Sexual addiction is also quite unusual. If you’re addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling for example, you abstain from engaging in any of these behaviors once you’re in recovery. Because sex is a normal and healthy part of our lives however, even those with an addiction can go on to have intimate relationships, even after they’ve received sex addiction counselling.
If you think that you or someone you know could benefit from sex addiction counselling, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma & Addiction Counselling. We will be able to provide you with more information about the signs, symptoms and what speaking with a sex addiction therapist entails.
