Sexual Addiction Intervention
The Internet has provided fertile ground for the growth of sexual addiction. An estimated 200,000 Americans are addicted to Internet pornography.
Sexual addictions follow a cycle:
- preoccupation, fixation and obsession
- rituals which add to the excitement and anticipation, a distance is created between reality and sexual obsession
- compulsion, acting on the compulsion, loss of choice
- sexual activity is inevitable, regardless of the circumstance or consequence
- reality hits, despair sets in, regret and remorse
- addicts swear never to do it again
- preoccupation comes back
- as addicts are drawn further and further into this cycle, the more ingrained the addiction becomes
Some addicts will search for help when their job is threatened, their marriage is on the line, loss of family is imminent, or health issues surface. If an addict does not reach out for help, a family member needs to. Shame prevents families from acting. They do not know how to confront this incomprehensible demoralizing disease. The key is exposing the problem and breaking the cycle.
Pornography addiction is unlike other sex addictions in that there needn’t be previous history or causes. Many addictions stem from genetic predisposition or other factors that determine behavior. Pornography can be addictive to anyone who uses it. When this is done at home, the usual threats of loss of job or status in the community, and exposure are not in place as a deterrent.
Quite often, there are multiple addictions involved, i.e. drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, etc. The interventionist, through an interview process, will be best able to determine and recommend a treatment facilitiy that is qualified to deal with the apparent addictions or co-occurring disorders.