24 Jan Pursuing Pleasure? The Spiralling Pit of Sex and Pornography Addiction

On the surface of it, sex should be the most natural, bonding, and fun connection. There’s a biological driver, as there is for food, so surely it can’t ever be an addiction. However, what happens when someone’s relationship with sex crosses a destructive line such that it no longer serves a nourishing purpose?

Sex addiction presents in numerous ways such as compulsive masturbation; dangerous sexual practices; compulsive use of the internet, chat rooms, and dating sites; exhibitionism; child molestation; voyeurism; excessive fantasy and chronic affairs. Excessive pornography is literally the crack cocaine of them all. Most tend to follow a recognisable cycle of acting out and are accompanied by deep secrecy and debilitating shame.

In this presentation I provide an insight into compulsive sexual behaviours, and how they have evolved into destructive behaviours which impact relationships, work, finances, social connection and most significantly, mental health. In many instances, escalation is such that someone may ultimately cross a legal line with devastating consequences.

I suggest ways therapy can empathically & non-judgementally support someone towards recovery from an acutely dismal and lonely craving.

This talk is suitable for both mental health professionals, and equally for anyone who is interested and wonders if they or someone they know have an unhealthy sexual outlook.