Sex Addiction

Is Sex Addiction Real?

Yes, sex addiction is real, referring to a compulsion to engage in sexual behaviors that you can’t ignore. It’s not officially recognized in the DSM-5 as a mental health condition but instead is classed as a behavioral addiction.

Like other behavioral addictions, such as gambling, sex addiction involves compulsive behaviors that activate the brain’s reward system. This cycle creates cravings and temporary relief but often leads to negative consequences.

In the case of a sex addiction, sexual thoughts, urges, or actions become uncontrollable and interfere with daily life. Relief is short-lived, replaced by emotional distress and strained relationships in the long term.

If you’re dealing with a sex addiction, know that help is available and treatment is within your reach.

Hypersexuality and Sex Addiction Symptoms

Sex addiction isn’t just a high sex drive. It’s marked by compulsive sexual behaviors that feel impossible to control, often causing emotional and practical harm.

Common sex addiction symptoms include:

• Obsessive sexual fantasies or thoughts that dominate your time
• Excessive masturbation or pornography use
• Risky sexual behaviors, like unprotected sex or hiring sex workers
• Engaging in paraphilic acts, such as voyeurism or exhibitionism
• Using sexual behaviors to cope with loneliness, anxiety, or depression
• Feeling guilt, shame, or regret after sexual actions
• Continuing behaviors despite damaging consequences to relationships, finances, or health

Keep in mind that cultural or religious taboos can confuse typical sexual activity with addiction, adding unnecessary guilt or shame. Knowing the difference between a healthy sex drive and an addiction can help you spot when professional help is needed.

Common Feelings Sex Addicts Face

Sex addiction can cause overwhelming emotions that can feel isolating and difficult to manage. Many people struggling with a sex addiction experience:

• Guilt, shame, or regret about their behaviors
• A sense of hopelessness or feeling powerless to stop
• Persistent loneliness or depression
• Fear or anxiety about being discovered or judged
• Suicidal thoughts stemming from emotional distress

If you experience any of these feelings before, during, or after sexual activities, you might want to speak with a professional. Understanding what you’re going through makes seeking treatment and healing much more manageable.

What Causes Sex Addiction?

There’s no known single cause of sex addiction, but contributing factors may include:

• Imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, or norepinephrine, which affect mood and sexual desire
• Brain damage or conditions, such as dementia, epilepsy, or frontal lobe injuries, which impact impulse control
• Substance abuse, particularly with drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, and alcohol
• Side effects of medications, such as Parkinson’s treatments like levodopa
• Changes in brain pathways, where repeated behaviors create new patterns that reinforce addiction

Risk factors for sex addiction include easy access to sexual content through technology and the private nature of compulsive behaviors, which can allow the problem to grow over time.

People with existing addictions, mental health issues, or a history of sexual abuse may also be more likely to develop an addiction to sex.

How Does Sex Become Addictive?

Sex becomes addictive when the brain’s reward system reinforces compulsive behaviors. Sexual experiences release dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure, and endorphins, which reduce pain and stress.

Over time, repeated behaviors, like masturbation or risky sexual acts, can create new brain pathways that strengthen cravings. These cravings drive compulsions, leading to a loss of control over sexual urges and actions.

When your compulsions start interfering with daily life and well-being, they may be a sign of an addictive disorder. Once you’re able to recognize this cycle, you can seek addiction treatment and work toward overcoming it.

How Is Sex Addiction Different from Other Addictions?

Sex addiction is a behavioral addiction, meaning it involves compulsive actions rather than substance use. Where drug or alcohol addiction depends on external chemicals, sex addiction stems from your internal processes, like uncontrollable sexual impulses and behaviors.

Sex addiction often involves unique challenges, such as its connection to emotional regulation. Sexual behaviors may serve as an escape from pain, anger, or fear, and sex addiction often needs specialized treatment.

Where substance use disorders often need withdrawal and medication management to stabilize the person for therapy, therapy for sex addiction can begin right away. This helps address triggers, develop emotional regulation, and build healthier coping strategies.

Is Sex Addiction a Mental Health Disorder?

Whether sex addiction is a mental health disorder is still up for debate.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) chose not to include hypersexual disorder in their guide for mental health diagnoses, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

The APA cited a lack of evidence and was concerned that labeling it a disorder could make normal sexual behaviors seem wrong or ignore cultural differences toward sex.

But even though it’s not officially recognized, many experts say that sex addiction causes significant distress and that it should be recognized to improve access to treatment.

How Common Is Sex Addiction?

Research on sex addiction is limited, making it hard to know exactly how many people are affected. Existing studies suggest it affects millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide.

Research on the prevalence of sex addiction shows:

• 3% to 6% of the general U.S. population may experience sex addiction.
• Globally, sex addiction affects approximately 5% of the population, similar to other psychiatric disorders.
• 78% of people seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviors are men.

Stigma, shame, and a lack of standardized criteria make it hard to measure how common sex addiction really is. But underreporting means many people risk leaving their sex addiction untreated, potentially leading to serious consequences.

Complications of Untreated Sex Addiction

Untreated sex addiction can have a significant damaging impact on your mental, physical, and social well-being.

Untreated sex addiction may lead to the following: 

• Relationship issues: Strained or broken connections with partners and family members due to neglect or dishonesty.
• Career problems: Losing focus or engaging in sexual behaviors at work, risking job security.
• Financial strain: Out-of-control spending on porn, sex services, or related activities.
• Health risks: Exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, hepatitis, or syphilis.
• Mental health conditions: Increased risk of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse: Excessive alcohol use or recreational drug abuse as a coping mechanism.
• Legal troubles: Arrest or imprisonment for sexual offenses.

Diagnosing Sex Addiction

Diagnosing sex addiction involves assessing compulsive sexual behaviors and their impact on your life. While there’s no single test, healthcare providers may:

• Review your medical history, medications, and use of alcohol or drugs.
• Discuss your sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors, focusing on control and adverse effects.
• Evaluate the impact on your relationships, work, and mental health.
• Screen for other conditions like bipolar disorder, OCD, or anxiety that may explain symptoms.
• Request input from family members with your permission to gain additional perspectives.

Mental health professionals experienced in behavioral addictions can make a diagnosis and create the right treatment plan for you or your loved one.

Treatment for Sex Addiction

Sex addiction can be treated with therapy, support groups, and some medications that can relieve urges.

As you explore your options, your treatment plan should be created by clinicians experienced in addictive behavior treatment to give you the best chance of healing.

Medications

While no medications are specifically approved to treat sexual addiction, some options could help manage compulsive sexual behaviors.

These medications target the brain’s urges and addictive behavior pathways or address related mental health conditions.

Medications to help sex addiction include: 

• Antidepressants (SSRIs): These medications balance serotonin levels in the brain and can reduce compulsive sexual thoughts and urges.
• Anti-androgens: By lowering male sex hormones, these drugs can help reduce sexual impulses, especially in cases of risky or harmful behaviors.
• Naltrexone: Commonly used for alcohol and opioid addiction, naltrexone may also help control cravings tied to addictive sexual behaviors.
• Mood stabilizers: Medications like lithium or Depakote® are used when impulsive actions or hypersexuality are linked to mood disorders.
• Anti-anxiety medications: For those whose sexual compulsions are triggered by anxiety, medications like buspirone can provide relief.
• Antipsychotics: In severe cases involving disorganized thinking or agitation, these medications can help reduce sexual desire and behavior.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy can help identify triggers, improve coping skills, and manage compulsive behaviors.

Talk therapy approaches for sex addiction include: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and replacing harmful thoughts and actions with healthier coping strategies.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Uses mindfulness and acceptance to help you change your relationship with distressing thoughts.
• Motivational interviewing (MI): Encourages exploration of your addiction concerning your values and goals, which motivates you for change.

Support Groups

Support groups provide a safe space to share experiences, connect with others, and heal together. They’re often modeled after the 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous program — a reputable and popular part of alcohol addiction treatment.

Several sex addiction support groups operate nationwide, with chapters in each state. You can usually attend in person or online, so there are no barriers to finding support.

Popular sex addiction support groups include:

• Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
• Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)
• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA)
• Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA)

Joining a support group may feel intimidating, but remember that everyone is there for the same reason. Instead of hiding or feeling ashamed, talking openly about sex addiction could be liberating, taking you another step closer to acceptance and recovery.

Sex Addiction Outlook

Recovery from sex addiction is certainly possible. Some people fully recover, while others learn to manage their symptoms with ongoing treatment and support.

Breaking the cycle of acting out on compulsive urges begins by understanding that sex addiction stems from a complex psychosocial dysfunction, not moral failings.

Recovery often involves addressing co-occurring conditions, such as mood or personality disorders, which may fuel addictive behaviors.

A holistic approach — combining treatment options like therapy, medication, and support groups — bolsters you from all sides and significantly improves your chances of long-term healing.

Supportive Resources for Partners of Sex Addicts

As with other addictions, the addicted person isn’t the only one that suffers. A sex addiction can negatively impact partners and other family members.

Groups for affected partners include: 

• The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH): Connects partners to therapists, workshops, and resources to help navigate the challenges of sex addiction.
• Betrayal Trauma Recovery (BTR): Provides online support groups, coaching, and podcasts focused on helping female partners recover from betrayal trauma.
• S-Anon International Family Groups: For family members of those with sex addiction, offering 12-step programs and meetings to share experiences and find understanding.

Break Your Sex Addiction

Whether you’re battling a sex addiction or you’re exploring options for a loved one, it’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed.

But with the proper support and treatment, it is possible to regain control and build a healthier life with intrusive thoughts and unwanted behaviors under better control.

For help finding the right treatment for sex addiction, get in touch. We can help connect you to in-person or online therapy that’s right for you.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.