Is There More to Your Sex Addiction Than Sexual Behaviors?

Yes, you have a sex addiction, but is that really the problem? Often, addictions form due to underlying issues. As a result, if you focus solely on the addictive behaviors, you may find yourself relapsing or turning to another addiction.

Issues that arise from sex addiction are real and damaging. However, getting rid of the addictive behaviors alone may not be enough. Instead, it's necessary to get to the root of the problem and address underlying issues that lead to authentic healing and recovery.

Let's talk about what may be going on underneath your sex addiction that led you to this place, to begin with.

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If it's not the sex addiction, then what is it?

It's true; sex addiction is a very serious problem. However, we should be careful to blame the addiction as the sole cause of all of life's problems. One reality of sex addiction is that the people surrounding you are often collateral damage. Usually, they take a back seat to your compulsive urges to engage in addictive behaviors. However, what is it that got you to this point?

It would be rare, if not impossible, to wake up and suddenly have a sex addiction. Instead, it may start as behaviors that you turn to as a way of avoiding feelings such as boredom, loneliness, anxiousness, and so forth. For some, curiosity leads them to pornography, and before long, they're addicted. Then, behaviors escalate as behaviors ramp up to achieve the same high and can lead to a destructive addiction. However, why is it that some become addicted and others can walk away before it's a problem? We may find the answer in underlying issues.

There are many underlying issues that can contribute to addictive behaviors. For example, your personality, mental health, genetics, background, and brain functionality can all play a role. For example, some turn to pornography to escape feelings of depression. Others have a chemical imbalance in the brain. As a result, this can make them prone to react on a deeper level to the stimulus, which can speed up the rate an addiction forms.

The same is true for those dealing with an addiction to sugar, food, work, and screens. Although these addictions may not be labeled negatively, they are still powerful. Like any addiction, they, too, can lead to emotional heartache and deeply impact your mental and physical health. As a result, it's crucial to discover and address the root of the problem rather than the behavior itself.

What's hiding behind the sex addiction?

Many people recognize that sex addiction is the face of the problem we see but that the issues lie much deeper. Often, the problem is much bigger than uncontrollable sexual behaviors. Instead, it's unresolved or unaddressed underlying psychological issues.

As you enter treatment, your therapist is likely to focus on the issues that may have led you into this vicious cycle. Why? Because they recognize that by focusing on the addiction only, the problems still exist.

In order to have a successful outcome, it will be vital to address any issues that could be driving your sex addiction. By getting to the root of the problem, you set yourself up for success. Life can feel so much better in recovery.

At Thrive Counseling Atlanta, we want to help you address the real, raw issues that drive addictive behaviors. Likewise, we want to help you reach sex addiction recovery and maintain it. Call us today or visit our website to learn more.