When discussing sex addiction, therapists look to find the source of the compulsion for sex. Why is a sex addict so compelled to seek pleasure in sex that he or she is willing to engage in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors. Therapists often find that both males and females with sex addictions fall into 6 categories or types of sex addicts.

What Are The Different Types of Sex Addictions?

Biological Sex Addicts

This type of sex addict is naturally-born with a biologic component that causes the sex addiction. It is important to note that zero psychological or sexual trauma has occurred in these individuals. This category includes those who have neuro-conditioned themselves steadily into the state of sex addiction.

Abuse and Neglect Sex Addicts

Abandonment, abuse, and neglect issues from past experiences form the basis of these types of sex addicts, and it is the most common type of sex addict. Therapists estimate that 80% of sex addicts have had some form of  abuse or neglect in their past that causes the root basis of their sex addiction.

Spiritual Sex Addicts

These types of sex addicts are looking for spirituality through sex. We all have a spiritual appetite that needs to be sated from time to time (church, getting outdoors, philosophical journeys, sabbaticals, truth-seeking, mind-expansion, spiritual awakenings, etc.)

A Spiritual Sex Addict is “looking for a spiritual connection in all the wrong places.” This type of sex addict may also be more attracted to trying to connect with another spirit sexually, even for a moment.

Trauma-Based Sex Addicts

Males and females who have experienced sexual trauma as a child or adolescent usually display behavior typical of Trauma-Based Sex Addicts. Whatever the sexual trauma situation that occurred in the past, the addict tends to fantasize about this or seek to reenact the traumatic situations.

Intimacy Sex Addicts

Intimacy Sex Addicts can fall into two groups:

Intimacy Sex Addicts – who are seeking intimacy through free patterns of sex or dangerous sexual behaviors.

Intimacy Anorexia Sex Addicts – A term coined by Dr Doug Weiss, “Intimacy Anorexia” refers to a person who has chosen to withhold intimacy from a partner.  This type of person may completely withhold sex from their spouse or proper partner, while cheating and displaying free patterns of sex or dangerous sexual behaviors with others.

Mood Disorder Sex Addicts

An existing mental health condition of a mood disorder can cause a person to self-medicate with sex. Sex creates a powerful release of endorphins and other “Feel good” chemicals in the brain. A person can try to self medicate themselves or “feel better” with sex — even if only for a few moments at a time.

Can You Get Addicted to Sex, Like a Drug?

Yes. Those with opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and other substance abuse disorders are simply using other substances to trigger the euphoric chemical releases in the brain. You are just using different stimuli each time to produce a similar effect.

Chemical dependency, however, is different than sex addiction. A chemical dependency is when a drug or alcohol has been used for so long, the body cannot function normally without it. A sex addiction is purely a psychological addiction, even though a sex addict can show signs of “Withdrawal” (hormonal imbalance) if abruptly quitting sex after frequent ejaculation, orgasm, and “release.”

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is a term that many psychologists and medical professionals use to describe many of the forms of sex addiction.

What Are The Symptoms of Sex Addiction?

Loss of Control : The first word: “Compulsive ” is key — it infers a complete “loss of control.” This loss of control or no control over your sexual desires and behavior is what sets sex addiction apart from just hypersexuality and mild preoccupation with sex.

Extreme Preoccupation with Sex: The second point that defines CSBD is that the preoccupation with sex is “extreme” or intense, inferring that it is disruptive. If the preoccupation with sex is enough to disrupt one’s daily life, this sets it apart as sex addiction rather than just mild hypersexuality.

Compulsive & Impulsive Sexual Behavior:  Impulsive sexual behaviors you “jump into without really thinking about it.” Compulsive sexual behaviors recur in patterns, like repetitive sexual behaviors in cycles. The cycles can even include periods of abstinence with feelings of shame or regret, before the patters starts over again.

Dangerous Sexual Behavior and Negative Consequences: The most important point that defines a sex addiction is engaging in dangerous sexual behaviors that hold negative consequences, but the compulsion or impulsion to engage is too strong to resist. There are too many negative consequences that can come from these risky behaviors to name them all  (STDs, Getting involved with dangerous people, putting yourself in dangerous situations, etc.).

Do I Need Sex Addiction Therapy?

This is a tough question to ask ourselves, but we need to be honest with ourselves when asking it, because it will decide your fate. Ask yourself these questions honestly to see if you need a sex addiction test:

Am I Okay With My Sexual Identity? You should easily answer yes. A yes quick yes answer shows confidence and a lack of shame. If thinking about your sexual identity causes confusion, negative thoughts or emotions, shame, sadness, depression, regret, or other negative feelings, then there may be deeper issues you should explore with your therapist.

Have I Ever Experienced Negative Life Consequences from Sex? Any negative experience is going to leave a mark on your psyche for long time unless it is dealt with and overcome. A yes answer on this question does not necessarily mean you need sex therapy or have a sex addiction, but these negative experiences in the past can often lead to negative views on sex and negative patterns of  sexual  behavior later in life.

Have I Ever Experienced a Traumatic Sexual Experience? Yes, this includes past sexual abuse, but it goes deeper than that. Body shaming, awkward sexual encounters, “slut-shaming”, being called a “prude”, sexual gossip about you, online bullying and harassment: all of these can be considered traumatic past experiences of a sexual nature, and can have profound impact on your identity and mental health. Again, a yes answer does not necessarily signify a serious problem, but should be considered in your overall sexual-mental health.

Sex Addiction Quiz

Below are questions that are based on the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) and can help you and your sex addiction therapist determine the need for sex addiction therapy.

1. 1. 1. Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts? [Preoccupied]
      2. Do you hide some of your sexual behavior from others? [Ashamed]
      3. Have you ever sought help for sexual behavior you did not like? [Treatment]
      4. Has anyone been hurt emotionally because of your sexual behavior? [Hurt others]
      5. Do you feel controlled by your sexual desire?
         [Out of control]
      6. When you have sex, do you feel depressed afterwards?
         [Sad]

Answering “Yes” to 3 or more of these questions is a standard concern for sex addiction. However, in our opinion, if you answered yes to even 1 or more of these questions there is a legitimate therapeutic concern. It is important to ensure that any adverse past experience that could lead to sex addiction be a “closed case,” that no longer concerns you in your day-to-day life.

Sex Addiction Therapy in Arizona

If the world was becoming hypersexualized in the 1970s, its current state should be considered “terminally hypersexualized” in 2024. An extinction-level sexualization of every aspect of life has taken place and many are confused as to what constitutes normal, healthy sexual behavior anymore.

If ever there was a need for sex therapy, it is in 2024. Pornography addiction and extreme sexual behaviors are very prevalent today. Addiction to masturbation is also a big concern and can cause intimacy issues and issues with your partner. With this many stimuli out there for triggering sex addiction, no one should feel ashamed for wanting to therapeutically address your thoughts and behaviors.