Sex and Love Addiction (Treatments)

Yes, love and sex can be addictive—and as destructive, at least socially, as compulsive substance use. The high hinges on physical or psychological arousal, and relationships can be marked by desperation. Successful treatment begins with stress management.

Overcoming sexual compulsion and addiction starts with recognizing that you are out of control in this area. You will need to take a hard look at yourself and the problems—emotional, physical, or financial—caused by your behavior.

If you are in an addictive relationship, you may want to seek professional assistance. Specialized counseling is available for those dealing directly or indirectly with this form of addiction.

Treatment should probably involve at least some of the following:

A commitment to abstinence
Rebuilding relationships
Managing stress
Self-help

Some treatment for sex addicts follows the format employed by alcoholics, viewing addicts as individuals trapped in a vicious cycle in spite of their attempts to change. The model, which is strongly based on 12-step programs, focuses on three elements of the cycle:

Use of sex
Self-judgment
Avoidance behaviors

The elements of the addictive cycle are impacted by a process created by using:

A therapeutic environment
A thorough assessment
A group process
Education
Self/peer assessment

These techniques are incorporated into a therapeutic process, which begins with the first contact.

The creation of an environment that supports the therapeutic process is essential to this approach. Clients must be provided with an opportunity to explore their self-judgments without fear of the judgment of others, and they must feel they are listened to with empathy and respect. In earlier models of this approach, the counselor was the only one who possessed so-called counselor characteristics. Although this element is still critical, it now applies to the whole multidisciplinary team, a staff of professionals who are therapeutic.

The counselor conducts an initial assessment, identifies the problem, and, if indicated, schedules the client for treatment.

A thorough assessment is conducted, and any problems or blocks to treatment are noted. The counselor begins the bonding with the client during the assessment, and then prepares a therapeutic or treatment plan (the change model) to help the client deal with any blocks that will prevent response to the treatment process.

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Sex and Love Addiction. Last reviewed 10/10/2006

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