Sexual / Porn Addiction Recovery
Sexual / Porn Addiction
Recovery is Private and Confidential
Sex/Porn addiction is an especially destructive and difficult problem. It ruins relationships, leads to job loss and even criminal records, while destroying self-esteem and physical health.
People with sex addiction use sex just as those addicted to drugs or alcohol. It is an anesthetizer that allows them to escape painful realities in order to help regulate their moods whenever they feel stress, anxious, lonely, afraid, rejected, and/or feel privileged, entitled, or use the behavior as a justification for reward. As the dependence on the sexual behavior progresses, they typically experience emotional states that mirror those of people addicted to other addictive behaviors.
Private, Safe, Confidential Counseling
How To Recognize Sexual Addiction
At NorthPoint, we will identify the various aspects of problematic sexual behaviors including typical patterns of consequences, evolution and timing of behavior patterns, as well as a person’s therapy readiness.
Like an alcoholic unable to stop drinking, sexual addicts are unable to stop their self-destructive sexual behavior. Family breakups, financial disaster, loss of jobs, and risk to life are the painful themes of their stories. Sex addicts come from all walks of life – they may be ministers, physicians, homemakers, factory workers, salespersons, secretaries, clerks, accountants, therapists, dentists, politicians, or executives, to name just a few examples. Most were abused as children – sexually, physically, and/or emotionally. The majority grew up in families in which addiction already flourished, including alcoholism, compulsive eating, and compulsive gambling. Most grapple with other addictions as well, but they find sex addiction the most difficult to stop. Much hope nevertheless exists for these addicts and their families. Sex addicts have shown an ability to transform a life of self-destruction into a life of self-care, a life in chaos and despair into one of confidence and peace.
Sexual addiction is defined as any sexually related, compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one’s work environment. Sexual addiction has been called sexual dependency and sexual compulsivity. By any name, it is a compulsive behavior that completely dominates the addict’s life. Sexual addicts make sex a priority more important than family, friends, and work. Sex becomes the organizing principle of addict’s lives. They are willing to sacrifice what they cherish most in order to preserve and continue their unhealthy behavior.
What To Expect
You can expect some of the following issues to be addressed during counseling:
- The counselor will first want to assess the problem.
- Please be willing to talk about any and all significant issues; be as accurate and open as possible.
- Be honest and open.
- Your counselor will assign you an assessment to develop a personalized recovery treatment plan.
We are ready when you are!
Reasons To Seek Recovery
- Loss of Control - Behaviors in which you do more than you intend or want.
- Compulsive Behavior - A pattern of out-of-control behavior over time.
- Efforts to Stop - Repeated specific attempts to stop the behavior but can't.
- Loss of Time - Significant amounts of time lost doing and/or recovering from the behavior.
- Preoccupation - Obsessing about or because of the behavior.
- Inability to Fulfill Obligations - The behavior interferes with work, school, family, and friends.
- Continuation Despite Negative Consequences - Failure to stop the behavior even though you have problems because of it (school, legal, financial, physical).
- Escalation - Need to make the behavior more intense, more frequent, or more risky.
- Losses - Losing, limiting, or sacrificing valued parts of life such as hobbies, family, relationships, and work.
- Withdrawal Symptoms - Stopping the behavior causes considerable distress, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, or physical discomfort.
Learn the Recovery Process
Define your recovery goals.
Thinking about what you would like to get out of recovery. It might be helpful to write a list of events, relationship issues, or feelings that you think are contributing to your addiction. Remember, addiction is a disease.
Self-exploration and change.
Self-exploration and change involve hard work, and sometimes painful feelings are stirred up in the process of recovery. You can feel confident that your therapist is trained to pay close attention to these issues and will probably encourage you to discuss these feelings openly with them.
Be an active participant.
This is your counseling experience, so be as active as you can in deciding how to use the time wisely. Be honest with your counselor and give her or him feedback about how you see the sessions progressing.
Be patient with yourself.
As with any growth, it takes time, effort, and patience. All of your coping skills, behavior patterns, and self-perceptions have been learned and reinforced over a long period of time, so change can be difficult and slow at times.
Ask questions.
Ask questions about the counseling process, any methods used by the counselor, or about any other services offered at NorthPoint Professional Counseling. Your counselor is there to assist you.
Follow your counselor’s recommendations.
Take the time between sessions to complete any activities suggested by your counselor. It is not unusual to be asked to either read, journal and/or implement any new behavior learned.
Recovery is intended to greatly improve your life in the “real world,” so making efforts to try out and practice new behaviors, approaches, or ways of thinking could be a crucial element to the success of your recovery.
Get The Support You Deserve
In Person & Online Care
We offer counseling in -office, telehealth (via Zoom), or by phone Your comfort is our priority!
Advanced Specialists
Our professional staff comprises of highly recognized advanced specialists which are leaders in the field of counseling.
Easy Appointments
Affordable, Convenient and Easy Appointments can be scheduled by calling our office or online at your convenience.
Real Support / Lasting Relationships
Your relationship with your counselor is important. Your counselor will be there every step in your healing journey .