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Summary
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Sexual Addiction is
often found alongside other forms of addiction
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Addicts often experience
other psychological problems
This can arise
from attempts to stop the activity. However, the relationship
between anxiety, depression and addiction is a complex cycle
Addiction often leads
to sever problems in relationships and lost opportunities at
home and at work
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Contents
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What problems
does Sexual Addiction cause or make worse?
Sexual addiction ...
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Often
makes other types of addiction worse. In a 1992 study, 42% of sexually
addicted individuals were also chemically or alcohol dependent, 38% had a
concurrent eating disorder, 28% had issues with compulsive working, 26% were
compulsive spenders, and 5% were compulsive gamblers.
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Online
addiction ('cybersex') can lead to so-called 'Offline' sexual addiction -
compulsive, risky or out of control behaviour with real people, often involving
prostitutes, casual encounters
or abnormal practices.
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But
typically, the biggest impact is on existing relationships with partners,
loved ones and friends, with the addicts becoming withdrawn, emotionally
unavailable and disinterested in normal sexual or intimate relations with
their partner. This can lead to separation which exacerbates the addiction
problem as the usual 'checks and balances' are then lost.
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Attempts
to stop the addictive behaviour can lead to withdrawal symptoms including
anxiety; depression; suicidal ideations; low mood ; irritability; changes in
appetite; sleep disturbance; fatigue or drowsiness; cravings; and
significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other
important areas of functioning.
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Depression
and anxiety are closely linked to sexual addiction. It isn't just that the
addiction causes these states; there is a dynamic relationship
between them so for example, depression can lead to a need for 'comforting'
sexual satisfaction and anxiety can lead to the heightened states of arousal
where inhibitions involved in seeking this out are lowered.
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Some Facts About
the Problems of Sexual
Addiction
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70% Experience Severe Relationship Problems
40% Separation or Divorce
27% Lost Career Opportunities
40% Unwanted Pregnancy
72% Suicidal Obsession - 17% Attempted Suicide
68% Exposed to Sexually Transmitted Infections
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7 in 10 couples will experience severe
relationship problems as a result of one partner having an addiction
problem and in 4 out of 10 cases this will lead to separation or divorce
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(Page last updated 9 Feb 2007)
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