Sex addiction
Sex addiction is defined as performing a sexual act, whether with partner(s) or alone, where the urge to perform cannot be controlled. It often starts innocuously enough through normal sexual activity, but grows into a monster that you have no control over. If you find yourself missing work, being late for appointments or your life being generally disrupted by your need to act out your sexual fantasies, then you probably have a sex addiction.
Sex addiction can take on many forms. It could be an addiction to pornography, an addiction to sleeping around or even an addiction to exposing yourself in public - the latter being something that if you are a man could get you onto the sex offenders register and up to 2 years in prison!
Fortunately, as with all addictions, sex addiction is treatable. The first step though is to admit to yourself that you have a problem and that you are willing to do something about it. Many people who suffer from sex addiction find this the hardest step to take.
Organisations like Sexaholics Anonymous are open to anybody who feels they can no longer live with their addiction. Treatment is through education, counselling and rehabilitation.
For more information on sex addiction please use the resources on our site.