Sex Addiction: Psychological or Physiological

Is sex addiction psychological or physiological? While arguments go both ways, the reality is that it is both!

Confused, anxious, mixed, and obsessed are often expressions of those who feel that they need sex as often as possible. Sexual addiction is a disorder characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. Like all addictions, its negative impact on the addict and on family members increases as the disorder progresses. Over time, the addict usually has to intensify the addictive behavior to achieve the same results.

For some sex addicts, their behavior remains in the realm of compulsive masturbation or the extensive use of pornography or phone or computer sex services. However, addiction can involve illegal activities such as exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, child molestation or rape. It is less often than likely that the disorder progresses beyond legal activities, but when coupled with other issues, an addict can go beyond the legal boundaries.

The DSM IV for Psychiatric Disorders, describes sex addiction as "distress about a pattern of repeated sexual relationships involving a succession of lovers who are experienced by the individual only as things to be used." According to the manual, "compulsive searching for multiple partners, compulsive fixation on an unattainable partner, compulsive masturbation, compulsive love relationships and compulsive sexuality in a relationship" is a constant in the addict's life.

The above description is the psychological description of a sex addict. How one becomes a sex addict isn't so easy to understand. Usually, there is a void that needs to be filled. Loss of a parent, difficulties in socializing, wrong or little proper information regarding sex, or some other stress induced situation where sex creates an outlet to cope with the matter. And this is where the physiology of sex addiction plays a role.

The release felt from ejaculation produces endorphines and enkephlines, which are chemicals released that produce a relaxed and satisfied feeling. This "release" is similar to what an alcohol or drug addict feels. Their issues become numb and the feeling of "coping" with the problem is experienced. Herein lies the physiological result of the addiction. Even more, the physiological aspect reinforces the psychological issue to the point that it becomes a vicious cycle.

The problem, as with every addiction, is that the "coping" is merely a deferral of the problem. The underlying issue is never addressed. Until someone is willing to heal the underlying matters, the addiction will continue. Healing doesn't happen overnight and requires intensive therapy treatment and insight by the addict. However, it isn't impossible to control and create a healthy outlook that resolves pains of the past and present in order to create a future that promotes healthy sexual experiences and relationships.