Relationships are an important part of human life. We build
relationships in work, play and fall in love. Over time, we realize
relationships are constantly changing and are very fragile.
Relationships can be damaged in a number of ways, including lack of communication, deceit, isolation or misunderstanding. Sex addiction can have a severe impact on relationships due to all of these factors. Sex addicts will gradually isolate themselves from their family and friends. In particular, spouses and significant others are deeply affected. Both the addict and his or her spouse will feel less intimate and will experience a wide range of emotions over the course of the addiction and recovery.
Emotional Impact
Sex addiction is extremely challenging on relationships. Many relationships are broken as a result of the addiction. Addicts favor their "acting out" behaviors over their real life relationships. This is because they need to keep their sexually addictive behaviors secret to avoid getting caught. As a result, addicts will become volatile, stressed, anxious and susceptible to intense mood swings, especially when they cannot engage in their compulsive activities for long periods of time.
Addicts will often become detached from their partners. This often means that they will be disinterested in sex with their spouses as their needs and desires are being met elsewhere, or because of the guilt associated with the addiction. Sometimes though, the addict will push his or her partner for more sex, often forcing the partner into doing something he or she is uncomfortable with.
When a sex addict has engaged in extramarital sexual activities, the spouse will experience intense feelings of anger, betrayal, and distrust. After the addict has come clean the spouse may desire to end the relationship, but most partners typically do stay. Emotionally, sex addiction is very damaging. However, there is hope that relationships can be restored.
Physical Impact
Compulsive sexual behaviors stemming from sex addiction come with many physical risks. Sex addicts who engage in risky sexual behavior outside of committed relationships can contract and spread sexually transmitted diseases. They also put themselves in high-risk situations such as frequenting seedy neighborhoods looking for prostitutes. They are also at risk of injuring themselves or their sexual partners as the need to escalate their behavior increases. In some cases, the severe depression that comes with the addiction can lead addicts to suicidal thoughts. While not all addicts experience all of these physical symptoms, it is important to understand that these are just some of the things addicts face while struggling with addiction and recovery.
In order to recover from sex addiction, addicts and their loved ones must get professional help. Therapy, counseling and support groups are helpful in providing the support, guidance and structure required to make a full and lasting recovery. Couples therapy can help partners regain intimacy and build a trusting relationship. Keep in mind that restoring a healthy relationship will not be easy. In fact, relapses may occur it the addict's recovery which will try the relationship even further. However, over time, if everyone is open and expresses themselves, recovery, and a healthy relationship, is possible.
Relationships can be damaged in a number of ways, including lack of communication, deceit, isolation or misunderstanding. Sex addiction can have a severe impact on relationships due to all of these factors. Sex addicts will gradually isolate themselves from their family and friends. In particular, spouses and significant others are deeply affected. Both the addict and his or her spouse will feel less intimate and will experience a wide range of emotions over the course of the addiction and recovery.
Emotional Impact
Sex addiction is extremely challenging on relationships. Many relationships are broken as a result of the addiction. Addicts favor their "acting out" behaviors over their real life relationships. This is because they need to keep their sexually addictive behaviors secret to avoid getting caught. As a result, addicts will become volatile, stressed, anxious and susceptible to intense mood swings, especially when they cannot engage in their compulsive activities for long periods of time.
Addicts will often become detached from their partners. This often means that they will be disinterested in sex with their spouses as their needs and desires are being met elsewhere, or because of the guilt associated with the addiction. Sometimes though, the addict will push his or her partner for more sex, often forcing the partner into doing something he or she is uncomfortable with.
When a sex addict has engaged in extramarital sexual activities, the spouse will experience intense feelings of anger, betrayal, and distrust. After the addict has come clean the spouse may desire to end the relationship, but most partners typically do stay. Emotionally, sex addiction is very damaging. However, there is hope that relationships can be restored.
Physical Impact
Compulsive sexual behaviors stemming from sex addiction come with many physical risks. Sex addicts who engage in risky sexual behavior outside of committed relationships can contract and spread sexually transmitted diseases. They also put themselves in high-risk situations such as frequenting seedy neighborhoods looking for prostitutes. They are also at risk of injuring themselves or their sexual partners as the need to escalate their behavior increases. In some cases, the severe depression that comes with the addiction can lead addicts to suicidal thoughts. While not all addicts experience all of these physical symptoms, it is important to understand that these are just some of the things addicts face while struggling with addiction and recovery.
In order to recover from sex addiction, addicts and their loved ones must get professional help. Therapy, counseling and support groups are helpful in providing the support, guidance and structure required to make a full and lasting recovery. Couples therapy can help partners regain intimacy and build a trusting relationship. Keep in mind that restoring a healthy relationship will not be easy. In fact, relapses may occur it the addict's recovery which will try the relationship even further. However, over time, if everyone is open and expresses themselves, recovery, and a healthy relationship, is possible.
http://www.OnSexAddiction.com
helps individuals struggling with Sex Addiction, Porn Addiction,
Compulsive Masturbation, other dangerous sexual behaviors, and the
consequences of those addictions, get sober and into recovery so they
can lead richer, fuller, more successful and healthy lives. We provide
information, resources, articles, videos, CDs, DVDs, seminars,
conferences, and membership sites to help individuals better understand
what sex addiction is and how to deal with it.
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