An addiction to love and sex is characterised by a dependency on chatlines, fantasy, intrigue, love, masturbation, pornography, prostitutes, romance, or sex. A person with an addiction to love and sex may be in denial about it, or acknowledge their dependency, and realise it is out of control and has taken over their life. For one person, viewing internet pornography may indicate a liberal attitude towards sex, for another, it may be an addiction that impacts on their personal relationships and work relationships.

 

Symptoms of Addiction to Love and Sex

The symptoms of an addiction to love and sex may include excitement, isolation, powerlessness, personal relationship problems, work relationship problems, remorse or shame. A person with an addiction to love and sex may hit an impassable crisis before they acknowledge they have an addiction and seek appropriate help for it. An addiction to love and sex may be considered a definable mental health problem, or a label for sexual behaviour or a lifestyle that does not comply with cultural norms.

 

Causes of Addiction to Love and Sex

An addiction to love and sex may be related to acting out rather than acknowledging personal difficulties, or avoidance behaviour around intimacy issues. An addiction to love and sex may also be related to adolescence issues, anxiety, childhood abuse, civil partnership problems, marriage problems, childhood issues, codependency, attraction to abusive or unavailable partners, depression, identity issues, low self esteem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), sexual abuse, self abuse, sexuality, or stress.

 

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