Treatment for Sexual Addiction

1. Treatment for SexualAddiction • At Life Works Recovery, through our training as sex therapists and sex addiction therapistswe bring extensive knowledge and understanding of sex — it’s place in healthy sexuality and courtship — and how it manifests in addiction as a compulsive force as well as in committed passion and intimate love as a healing and connectingforce. • We have specialized training and experience and we are Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) because we are passionate about helping people heal. We understand what it means to be there. We want to help you and your loved ones heal. It’s what wedo. • Here are some questions you should ask when looking for a good sex addiction treatmentprogram: • What percentage of thetherapyprogram will be focused on sexual addiction and compulsiveness? • What are the groups that address theseissues? • What is the staff’s experience facilitating the groups or program for sexual addiction andcompulsiveness? • Is the program based on a 12-step philosophy, and are there appropriate 12-step meetings to attend while in treatment? • In addition, look for these components in a treatmentprogram: • A separate group that allows couples to work on the more intimate issues of their relationship • Education about sexual addiction and compulsiveness that clarifies misconceptions about this highly misunderstood set ofbehaviors • A disclosure process facilitated by trained staff who understand the vulnerability of each family member and make appropriate decisions about which familymembers

2. need to hear what information about the specific symptoms and behaviors. This is essential in developing a therapeutic relationship between the patient andfamily. • Time for the family members or spouses to receive support in processing and debriefing information that the individual discloses duringtreatment • A focus on the health risks involved for both partners and how to address these in a continuing care plan • Unlike drug or alcohol treatment, the goal of sexual addiction treatment is not lifelong abstinence, but rather a termination of compulsive, unhealthy sexual behavior. Since it is very difficult for a sex addict to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy sex, programs usually encourage abstinence from any sexual behavior during the first phase of treatment. Many programs suggest a 60- to 90-day period of self-imposed abstinence. This enables you, along with the treatment team, to understand the emotional cues and circumstances that trigger sexual thought and compulsive sexualbehavior. • Treatment Focus:- Treatment will focus on two main issues. The first is the logistical concerns of separating you from harmful sexual behavior in the same way drug addicts need to be separated from drugs. Accomplishing this might require inpatient or residential treatment for several weeks. An inpatient setting protects you from the abundance of sexual images and specific situations or people that trigger compulsive sexual behavior. It’s simply harder to relapse in a structured and tightly controlled setting. Sometimes, you can succeed in an outpatient setting with adequate social, family and spiritualsupport.

3. The second and most difficult issue involves facing the guilt,shame and depression associated with this illness. It takes trust and time with acompetent therapist to work through these emotions. If you are very depressed, the best treatment might be an inpatient residential setting where professionals can monitor and properly manage your symptoms. 12-StepPrograms:- Twelve-step programs, such as Sexaholics Anonymous, apply principles similar to those used in other addiction programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. However, unlike AA, where the goal is complete abstinence from all alcohol, SA pursues abstinence only from compulsive, destructive sexual behavior. By admitting powerlessness over their addictions, seeking the help of God or a higher power, following the required steps, seeking a sponsor and regularly attending meetings, many addicts have been able to regain intimacy in their personalrelationships. Cognitive-BehaviorTherapy:-

4. This approach looks at what triggers and reinforces actions related to sexual addiction and looks for methods of short-circuiting the process. Treatment approaches include teaching addicts to stop sexual thoughts by thinking about something else; substituting sexual behavior with some other behavior, such as exercising or working out; and preventing the relapse of addictivebehavior. InterpersonalTherapy:- People addicted to sex often have significant emotional baggage from their early lives. Traditional “talk therapy” can be helpful in increasing self control and in treating related mood disorders and effects of past trauma. GroupTherapy:-

5. Group therapy typically consists of a health care professional working with a group of between six and10 patients. Working with other addicts allows you to see that your problem is not unique. It also enables you to learn about what works and what doesn’t from others’ experiences, and draw on others’ strengths and hopes. A group format is ideal for confronting the denial and rationalizations common among addicts. Such confrontation from other addicts is powerful not only for the addict being confronted, but also for the person doing the confronting, who learns how personal denial and rationalization sustainedaddiction. Medication:-

6. Recent research suggests that antidepressants may be useful in treating sexual addiction. In addition to treating mood symptoms common among sex addicts, these medications may have some benefit in reducing sexualobsessions.