Sexual Addiction  

 

      For most people, sex is an enjoyable part of a healthy, loving relationship. For others, it is a dangerous pastime and a daily struggle. Men and women search for anonymous sex with strangers, secretly indulge in numerous extramarital affairs or lure children into horrid sexual situations to satisfy their addiction. Is it the sexual act that they crave or what the act represents? Sexual addiction is thought to originate in childhood or adolescence, usually the result of a lack of affection in a person's upbringing or a neglectful home life. In many cases, masturbation is used as an escape, beginning the addiction process. A child could also have been introduced to sex in an inappropriate way.
 

      This results in secrets, shame and fear thus paving the way for sexual compulsion later in life. Sexual addiction has many characteristics. These include sexual behaviour that is secretive or hidden. People who engage in extramarital affairs are an example of this. Their behaviour is hidden and very secretive to those who partake of these acts. Being discovered could be detrimental to the "normal" existence that the addict is trying to portray. The sexual behaviour of those addicted is usually shameful to the person seeking it which is why it remains hidden. Sexually compulsive behaviour can also be abusive as in the case of those who sexually molest children. This vile act bears all three characteristics of sexual compulsion and is the most despised act within our society.
 

      This sexual compulsion is the most destructive as it destroys the lives of children before they have a chance to live. Sexual compulsion can manifest in many forms. Compulsive masturbation is a sexual compulsion and is highly correlated with pornography. Compulsive viewing of pornography is also regarded as a sexual compulsion as is compulsive sex with prostitutes and anonymous sex with multiple partners. Multiple affairs outside of a committed relationship is a sexual compulsion that can have very damaging effects. The most serious and damaging of all sexual addictions are those that involve forced sex or child molestation. These compulsions take addiction to a whole different level as they destroy innocent lives in the process. Sexual addiction has the power to destroy many lives in it's path. It may seem harmless in the beginning as a person who masturbates excessively or views pornography compulsively is involving only themselves in their addiction. But when spouses are destroying families and children are losing their innocence and in many cases, their lives, action must be taken.   Like all addiction, there is help available.
 

*** The information regarding the origin, characteristics and manifestations of sexual compulsions were found on the Sexual Addiction Help website but remain universal in many of the sexual addiction sites and information that is available.
 

Please visit www.sexualaddictionhelp.com and read on.

 

 Take care...Tracy