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This Page was last reviewed and changed on January 10th, 2023
Sex and love addiction treatment
Sex and love addiction treatment and therapy is rarely talked about and, unfortunately, it is widely misunderstood in comparison to other addictions. Despite often being overlooked, emotional intimacy disorders can still have damaging effects on relationships, mental health, and even physical health. They can also lead to substance abuse as you try to cope with the resulting turmoil.
It can be difficult to admit that you are suffering from an emotional intimacy disorder, but thankfully, help is available. Sex addiction therapy can help you to overcome and control your impulses, leading to a happier and more fulfilled life. Primrose Lodge offers a comprehensive treatment programme with a team of specialists on hand to guide you through every step of rehab and recovery.
Sex and love addiction treatment
Sex and love addiction treatment aims to resolve underlying traumas or painful events that have led to compulsive behaviour. You should expect to undergo a variety of therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, helping you to understand the psychological aspects of your addiction.
With this knowledge, you will be able to develop techniques to prevent relapse, learn how to manage triggers, and how to form and maintain healthy relationships. Alongside therapy, sex and love addiction treatment may include meditation, helping you to deal with feelings of anxiety or low self-esteem. Sometimes medication for depression or anxiety may also be beneficial.
Why is sex addiction therapy important?
Sex and love addiction can manifest in varying forms, but there are dangers present across all of them. As with substance abuse, the individual will soon see themselves spiralling uncontrollably as their condition worsens. You may engage in increasingly risky behaviour to satisfy urges, putting yourself at a higher risk of contracting STIs. You may also become involved in unhealthy relationships, risking both physical and emotional abuse.
An emotional intimacy disorder can also affect your ability to work, as your obsession over sex or love may take precedence. This means that you are likely to fall into financial difficulty. All of these factors combined can lead to mental health issues, including depression.
Sex and love addiction treatment is highly complex, with emotional intimacy disorders proving difficult to resolve without professional counsel. In order for you to avoid further harm and achieve lasting and sustainable recovery, you must delve into the root cause and underlying issues that lead you to compulsively seek out sex or love.
Sex addiction therapy is vital, as it gives you the opportunity to discover more about yourself, at the same time giving you the tools you need to overcome your behavioural issues and prevent relapsing into your old ways.
Do I need sex and love addiction therapy?
As a topic of conversation that is largely undiscussed, it is tricky to know if sex and love addiction therapy is the right path for you. Take our quick quiz to find out if rehab treatment could benefit you in any way:
- Have you ever considered sex addiction therapy or thought that it might benefit you?
- Do you feel as though you cannot control your impulses?
- Has a friend or family member ever suggested sex addiction therapy to you?
- Do you obsess over sex or love, spending more and more time seeking it out?
- Do you feel guilty, ashamed, or trapped by your behaviour?
- Have you tried to stop your behaviour but couldn’t?
- Do you experience mood swings or depression as a result of your behaviour?
- Do you move quickly from one relationship to the next after the ‘honeymoon’ phase has worn off?
- Have you neglected other relationships or work commitments in favour of sexual activity or a love interest?
- Have you engaged in risky sexual behaviours?
- Do you watch increasingly extreme pornography?
- Do you have a fear of being on your own?
- Have you ever displayed controlling behaviour when your partner has not met your needs?
- Do you experience physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms when love is unrequited or when a relationship ends?
- Do you feel like a ‘perfect’ relationship would solve all your problems?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, sex addiction treatment is the right decision for you. Don’t let your behaviours cause irreparable damage to your life, family, relationships, or career. Put a stop to the downward spiral today and contact our team of experts for guidance.
What can I expect from sex addiction therapy?
The first step in sex addiction therapy is identifying the fundamental cause of the problem. For most, this tends to be a traumatic incident experienced during childhood that has led to feelings of low self-esteem. The behaviours may also be learned if a child is brought up in a home with another sex or love addict, or you may have suffered a bad relationship leading to feelings of unworthiness and desperation for love.
Sex and love addiction is a progressive disorder, and just as with substance abuse, the individual will find themselves developing a tolerance and needing increasingly extreme experiences to feel satisfied. With cognitive behavioural therapies, you will be able to transform the mindset that keeps you trapped in the same cycle and learn how to develop healthy patterns for relationships.
At Primrose Lodge, you will take part in a comprehensive psychological assessment, including counselling and psychotherapy, enabling you to discover the reasons for your behaviour and implement effective techniques to manage it going forward.
Our team has a wealth of experience in sex addiction treatment and strives to create a non-judgmental, safe environment for our clients which empowers them to reach their goals. A minimum of twenty-eight days in rehabilitation is recommended in order to establish healthy habits and allow you to fully adopt new behaviours. This is important in order to maintain your success as you go on to tackle life after your sex and love rehab.
Supporting a loved one in sex addiction therapy
Watching a loved one compulsively take part in destructive, damaging, or hurtful behaviours can cause a great deal of distress. Often emotional intimacy disorders are difficult to understand, and subsequently, you may harbour feelings of anger, jealousy, and resentment towards your partner.
There are some things you can do to help both yourself and your loved one through this strenuous time. These may include:
- Researching emotional intimacy conditions before talking to your loved one
- Always coming from a place of love and support
- Focusing on your loved one’s feelings
- Avoid focusing on sexual behaviour or shaming them
- Talking to them about sex addiction treatment options
Most importantly, you should not forget about your own needs and happiness. Being in a relationship with a sex and love addict can be extremely tough psychologically. It is a good idea to set and follow strict boundaries and talk to a professional counsellor if required.
Options for sex and love addiction treatment
Emotional intimacy disorders invoke feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, and resentment. If you are tired of these symptoms wreaking havoc on your life and want to begin your recovery, don’t hesitate to give us a call.