5 Signs You May Be Addicted to Sex
There are many things that are wonderful in life. A delicious meal, the majestic beauty of a sunset, the creamy and delicious smoothness that comes from chocolate… these are just to name a few. There is also, of course, one of the most pleasurable acts that a person can engage in — that being sex.
As with most things that are good in life it is possible to overdo it when it comes to sex. We know what you might be saying, “are you kidding me? I can’t get enough.”
While some of us are in a constant search for sex which may not always be successful, there are others who receive plenty of action. So much so, in fact, that it can sincerely be said that they are receiving an overabundance of sex.
When you first hear that, it can be a bit difficult to feel sorry for somebody going through that predicament. After all, many of us would like to have that problem. However, some people who engage in sexual activity on that scale do so not because they are enjoying it, rather because they feel a compulsion and a necessity to do so. Yes, we are talking about sexual addiction.
Jokingly, one might say that if one is going to become addicted to anything in this world sex would be the most enjoyable. On the serious side, however, sexual addiction — just as any other addiction — is no laughing matter. With an estimated 9 million sexual addicts in the United States alone, as of 2018, some human behavioral scientists even compare the problem to an epidemic.
Could you be a sex addict?
Could you be on your way to becoming a sex addict?
Is your partner a sexual addict?
Since some of the early stages of sexual addiction can easily be overlooked and simply dismissed as having an active sexual libido, some people enter the sexual addiction stage without even realizing it. This is why we felt it prudent to list for you the five signs that might mean that you are a sexual addict.
1- Chronic Masturbation
Masturbation is one of the most natural acts for a human being. Both men and women can use it to derive self-pleasure, relieve stress, and maintain a well-balanced sex drive even when they happen to be without a steady partner.
That being said, there are also people for whom masturbation is not a method for sexual release that they control, rather it becomes an act that controls them. When a person feels a need to masturbate and succumbs to it even if the time and the place are inappropriate, they are demonstrating a sign of becoming a chronic masturbator.
If a person is masturbating multiple times in a 24-hour period on a daily basis, to the point that it affects their normal activities such as work, family, and even their sex life with their partner, that is a strong sign that masturbation has become a problem in their life. Chronic masturbation in itself is a form of sexual addiction.
2- Playing Hooky for a Quickie
We are not being holier-than-thou moralists here. After all, who hasn’t at some point in their life had a situation when they were late to work or missed a college class or were late to a family function because they were getting busy with someone? Hey, that happens.
However, when that starts becoming habitual, when you are constantly leaving work early, missing appointments, or avoiding other of life’s responsibilities just so you can get laid, that is a strong sign of having a sexual addiction.
3- No Condom, No Problem
One of the most worrisome and dangerous signs of the manifestation of a sexual addiction is when a person begins to put their personal health — as well as that of their partner — at stake simply for the sake of having sex at any given moment. If you find that you cannot put sex on hold in order to ensure that you are following the best practices for safe sex, that is not only a sign of poor judgment, but it can also be indicative of being addicted to sex. Look at it this way, if you are willing to gamble with your health, with your life, for a roll in the hay, you really need to evaluate your priorities.
4- You Never Have Enough
Simply having an elevated sexual appetite does not make you a sex addict. If you happen to be in a carefree stage in your life that allows you to have multiple partners, hey, more power to you. However, if in spite of the large number of sexual partners that you have you feel like you always need more, if no matter how gorgeous or how sexually fulfilling your last partner was you feel an inner need to go out and find someone else for more sex — that is a strong sign that you might be a sex addict. That sort of behavior can lead you to seek out the services of prostitutes even when you already have a steady partner.
5- You Need Sex to Remain Calm
When the average person goes for prolonged periods of time without sex it is normal for them to become irritable and even grouchy. Of course, for the average person, that length of time is measured in weeks or even months. For the sex addict, however, going without sex for just a few days or even a few hours can be cause for stress, irritation, and moodiness.
If you feel that you need sex as a part of your normal routine in order to function — sort of like some people might need their morning cup of coffee to get going — you might be a sex addict.
— So, What if I Am a Sex Addict?
As we said at the top of this article, sex is one of the most wonderful things that we can experience in life. Having it with regularity or abundance is definitely not a bad thing. What can ruin the experience, and therefore, the very pleasure that we seek out — is when we allow it to rule our lives.
If sex is ruling your life, if it is dominating everything that you do, if it’s compromising your friendships, relationships, and professional advancement, then it is definitely something that you need to rectify. If you feel that you are a sex addict you should seek out the help that you need to bring that addiction under control. For some people, this may be achieved through self-awareness and self-discipline. The majority of sex addicts, however, would greatly benefit from the help of a professional. This could be a sex therapist or psychologist.
Whatever your case may be, make sure to make sex enjoyable again. Have as much of it as you can as long as you stay on the healthy side of the spectrum.
