Sex addiction is a debilitating disorder that can severely disrupt your life, but there is good news if you are considering recovery. There are numerous treatment and support options available, so you can get the help you need to get your life back on track. Just like any other addiction, the first step in recovery is admitting to yourself that you have a problem. Once you accept this, you can talk to your doctor, who will determine the best treatment approach for you.
Support and Counseling
If your doctor determines that you do, in fact, suffer from a sex addiction, the first thing you should do is attend a support group such as COSA, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, or Sex Addicts Anonymous. These groups often use 12-step programs to help you identify what's wrong and help you through the recovery process.
Psychotherapy can also be beneficial if you're working to overcome your sex addiction. Options here include psychodynamic therapy, which makes you more aware of your unconscious thoughts and behaviors. If you were ever sexually abused as a child, the emotional scars will sometimes come out as sexual addictions later in life, and this therapy is one of the best ways to treat the disorder. Group therapy, where groups of people meet regularly with a mental health professional, is also an excellent option.
Medication
There are a number of medications that may help with sex addiction and other mental health disorders that might be coupled with it. Antidepressants such as parozetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) are commonly prescribed drugs, because many people who suffer from sex addiction also have clinical depression. People who suffer from bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder also have an increased likelihood of sexual addiction; for people suffering from these additional problems, the formerly mentioned antidepressants as well as mood stabilizers like lithium (Lithobid) can be beneficial.
If you're a man, anti-androgens such as medroxyprogesterone can reduce your sexual urges, but they should only be used in extreme cases. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), which reduces the amount of testosterone that your body produces, is also for serious cases of sex addiction.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes can also help you overcome a sex addiction. Channeling your time and attention into constructive outlets such as exercise and hobbies can fill unoccupied time, and yoga, tai chi, or other stress-reducing exercises can alleviate tension. Avoiding your computer for some time or at least installing pornography-blocking filters can eliminate triggers.
Paying for Treatment
If you're worried about how much treatment for sex addiction costs, keep in mind that some health insurance companies cover addiction treatments under their mental health coverage. If your insurance provider doesn't cover all the costs of your treatment, such as going into inpatient care, many of these facilities offer flexible payment plans. You should ask your health insurance provider if sex-addiction treatment is covered in your policy.
