a healthier life

by Douglas Dillard

Are you in a relationship with someone who has a sex addiction? If you are reading this, chances are that you have a suspicion that this type of addiction is playing a role in your relationship. Surprisingly, you are not alone. Yet, you probably feel as if you are. That is a common misconception when it comes to victims of a partner who has a sexual addiction. While sexual addiction is more or less a taboo subject, more individuals suffer from the effects of this type of relationship than you know. You are not alone. Here is some information regarding this type of addiction so that you may have a better understanding of it.

What is Sexual Addiction?

Sexual addiction encompasses many different thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Individuals who suffer from this type of condition often have relatively unusually high levels of interest in sex, various acts of sex, and beliefs on how one should perform while engaging in sexual acts. Their libido is exceptionally high, and their obsession with sex, sexual acts, and sexual pleasure is normally exceptionally high. This may have always been present with the individual, or it may simply come up out of nowhere. In many cases, the individual will appear to have a low sex drive and not exhibit any signs and then, suddenly, may seem to jump from that extreme to this extreme.

Common Behaviors

There are many common behaviors that may become evident in the individual who experiences sex addiction. If you are the “partner” in the relationship, these behaviors may lead to anxiety, depression, devastation, and similar emotions and states of the mind. This is especially true if you are “forced” in one way or another to indulge in the acts that stem from the behaviors that your partner has. These behaviors include:

• You may find that your partner has a higher desire to indulge in self-stimulation than that which is considered to be within the “norm”. In many cases, this is accompanied by observing pornographic materials such as DVDs, magazines, websites, and other means of visual enticement.

• Many that develop an addiction to sex will likely pursue physical affairs outside of the relationship that they are part of.

• Many may persist in having sexual intercourse in which “friends” are involved. This could be as simple as just one other person or as severe as several people at once.

• Many with the addiction may encourage their partners to engage in sexual acts with another person so that they may watch from a distance.

• If a partner is hesitant about becoming involved with the acts in which the addict wants performed, the addict by try to manipulate through the means of “sweet talking”, stating that they are in the leadership role of the relationship, or becoming physically abusive. In a number of cases, if a physical fight is initiated so that the partner may protect themselves, they may be forced into the act.

• Sexual crimes may be committed by the individual with this type of addiction.

Get Help

If you are in a relationship with a sex addict, you may try talking the issues over and trying to resolve them. However, this depends largely on the severity of the addiction and the ways in which you have suffered. For example, if you are consistently forced to engage in the fantasies that your partner has, or are subjected to violence in any way, you should seek help and bypass talking things out. However, if the sexual addict has simply started vocalizing their desires, talking may be appropriate. Are you in a relationship with someone that has a sexual addiction? If so, there is hope. There is a way out. It is simply up to you to find it….