Treatment For Sex Addiction

Treatment for sex addiction is a long-term process and can take many forms. Often a combination of treatment options is used for sex addiction. A mental health or medical professional can help to diagnose and recommend treatment.

1. Twelve step program. Originally devised for alcoholics, a twelve step program uses a support group, a sponsor, abstinence and following a set of guidelines as a treatment program for sex addiction. Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), Sex, Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) are all twelve step programs for sex addiction.
2. Counseling. Individual, group, or marriage counseling may be helpful for sex addicts and their partners may need the help of a counselor to deal with the fear, deception, and other devastating effects that a sex addiction has on an individual and a marriage.
3. Faith-based treatment. Pastoral counseling, prayer, bible study, and support groups may be used to provide treatment that is based a person’s religious faith.
4. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is based on cognitive behavior therapy.  Psychotherapy can help a sex addict cope with urges, work on changing distorted thinking, and handle anxiety by apply specific behavior changes.
5. Support groups. Joining a support group to connect with others that are seeking treatment for sex addiction may be a good way to find out about resources that can help a sex addict and provide morale support for the treatment process.
6. Medications. Antidepressants may be used to treat mental conditions that may make the sex addiction more problematic such as depression or obsessive disorders.  Severe addicts that may be motivated to rape or molest another person due to their addiction may be given antiandrogens that actually reduce sex hormones, which minimizes sexual urges and compulsions.