What is Sex Addiction?

Definition

Patrick Carnes defines addiction as having a pathological relationship with a mood altering chemical or behavior. Simply stated, sexual addiction is the lack of control of some sexual behavior or relationship. Perhaps the most helpful definition is a practical one: sexual behavior that has a negative effect on one's life.

Like with alcohol or drugs, sex addiction fits the classic, four-component model of what comprises an addiction:

  1. compulsivity - the loss of control over a behavior. An addict continues in the behavior or relationship despite repeated attempts to stop.

  2. continuation despite negative consequences -

  3. preoccupation or obsession -

  4. tolerance - more of the same behavior or an escalation of progressive behaviors is required to get the same "high".


  • What is Sexual Addiction.
  • The History of Sexual Addiction.
  • How it Presents in Men.
  • Self Test.


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