Sexual Compulsivity and Chronic Cheating

Got caught?

Is your partner threatening to leave unless you get treatment?

Are you sexually acting out or having any problematic sexual behavior? Wonder whether you are a sex addict? Can that even happen? Can one be addicted to sex?

Sex addiction is for real. It’s “any sexually related, compulsive behavior that interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one’s work environment.”

Just like an alcoholic who can’t give up alcohol, hides it and lies about it, whose judgment is impaired, sex addicts do it with sexual acting out. You can’t give it up. You have tried, but you can’t stop thinking about it, how to get it, how soon to get that fix. It becomes priority.

How do I know if I am a sex addict?

Please answer the assessment questions below. If you answer “yes” to two or more, you should talk to a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT).

• Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts?
• Do you hide some of your sexual behaviors from others?
• Has anyone been hurt emotionally because of your sexual behavior?
• Do you feel controlled by your sexual desire?
• When you have sex, do you feel depressed afterward?

You can also take a more formal assessment at:
http://www.recoveryzone.com/tests/sex-addiction/SAST/index.php

Joe is a sex addict.

Joe has been married for eight years. He travels a lot for work, and a few years back, after meeting a woman at the bar at this hotel, he ends up having sex with her. He felt very guilty and was ashamed of his behavior. But he chalked it up as being a bit drunk and rationalized it as just a fluke – knowing that it would not happen again.

It’s been five years, and he has had sex with over 20 women per year. You do the math. All paid sex.

Joe is no stranger to porn either. He has masturbated to it since he was a teenager. “That’s what guys do, right?” He subscribed to a few porn sites (all paid), has his favorite stars, and some of them he would “do” in real time (also paid). He watches porn at home after everybody goes to bed, at the office, and in his car.

Joe’s wife knew nothing about any of this – until she saw a text come up on his phone soliciting sex. She found that strange, but she started digging for more.

And more she found.

At that point she confronted Joe, who denied it, but was caught in several lies as she was able to obtain proof of some of his behaviors. And the credit card statements…

She stated that the only way she could give the marriage another chance was if he received treatment for that condition. And that was what got Joe to come to treatment and address his condition.

Sound familiar?

You are not alone.

Just like Joe and you, there are many people out there who escape their reality with sexual acting out behavior.

The good news

Sex addiction is treatable. You can start treatment and get on the path of recovery. I know that you want to live your life with integrity and not out of shame.

In treatment, we explore the underlying causes of the addiction and focus on fading out the self-destructive behaviors and replacing them with behaviors that promote living with integrity.

Call (770) 352-0029 now to schedule a time to meet and learn how to change this pattern.  VIDEO THERAPY AND IN-PERSON SESSIONS AVAILABLE NOW!