Learn more about Mike Lyons, LPC and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist at Ignite!

Thank you for visiting - if you are here, you know that this can be a delicate topic.

Presently, sex addiction is not considered a disorder as sex itself is considered a common function of human behavior, like sleeping and eating.

However, the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) does contain a new classification of compulsive sexual behavior disorder in the impulse control disorder section: “a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior over an extended period (e.g., six months or more) that causes marked distress or impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.”

As with many other types of addiction concerns, it becomes a matter of discerning how it is negatively impacting your life. Impact to relationships, health, employment. Dr. Patrick Carnes in his book, Contrary to Love: Helping the Sexual Addict states, “Contrary to enjoying sex as a self-affirming source of physical pleasure, the sex addict has learned to rely on sex for comfort from pain, nurturing, or relief from stress, etc., the way an alcoholic relies on alcohol, or a drug addict on drugs.”

There are some common co-occurring disorders that appear with sex addiction, including:

• Depression and Anxiety

• Substance abuse

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Bipolar disorder

• Attachment trauma

According to the Health Research Fund, statistics on this concern include:

• The estimated number of people who have a sexual addiction in the United States alone: 12 to 30 million.

• 80% of women who have a husband or partner that has been diagnosed with a sexual addiction suffered from depression in a recent study.

• It is common among those with bipolar disorder to engage in high-risk sexual activities during manic states.

• Victims of childhood sexual abuse often repeat a pattern of abuse in a subconscious attempt to gain control over their childhood trauma.

• People who are questioning their own sexuality tend to engage in activities that are similar to sexual addiction, but may not qualify as an actual addiction.

The Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) can help assess for sexually compulsive or “addictive” behavior. You can take the assessment for free, here.

There is Hope

Therapy that is focused on getting to – and healing – the underlying drivers of the problematic behaviors results in a high level of success.

Mike on our team is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, certified by the internationally-recognized International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals. You can schedule a free phone consult today to learn more.