Sexoholism. When sex becomes an addiction

Sex drive does differ in people. Some people need just one intercourse a week, whereas others do love sex , they have it every day and enjoy trying new tricks and new activities. The latter seem to be happier, unless their passion for sex becomes a real addiction that is called sexoholism.

What is sexoholism?

According to researches, sexoholism is a mental disorder that about 3-5 percent of adults have. Usually. these are straight men of 30-40. What to women, there is also a great number of sex addicted among them, however, ladies rarely acknowledge having such an addiction.

Actually, this disorder is a persistent and continuous desire to have sex: anywhere and with anyone. This reminds of alcohol addiction and drug addiction. As soon as a sex addict satisfies his needs, he begins searching for another partner. In fact sexoholics are in a constant search for a new sex partner usually for just a one night stand. Otherwise sex addict becomes nervous and depressed, and only the next “victim” can bring a short relief.

The nature of sex addiction is so that strong sexual desire causes brain to produce a protein substance. This results in great enjoyment. However, after some time brain stops producing protein, and only a new object for sexual desire can make it produce a new portion of protein substance. Sexoholics are addicted to this protein substance and to the feeling of enjoyment that accompanies its production.

Who is likely to become a sex addict?

According to psychologists, sexoholism often results from intimophobia, that is fear of intimacy or fear to become dependent from sex partner. Such people being very diffident do not believe in stable and long-lasting relationships. Often lack of sex confidence becomes enormous and sex turns into a obsession. Through sex intimophobs and other diffident people assert themselves.

There are many sexoholics among creative people: actors, artists, writers, etc. These people need sex with different partners for inspiration. They need passion and hearthrob, otherwise they cannot create. Such “productive” sexoholism can last for the whole life.

Also those who travel much are inclined to sexoholism. Being apart from home they experience feeling of temporary freedom that makes them change sex partners without being caught. Very soon this habit turns into a need that is very difficult to cope with. Such persons suffer from this addiction as often they have feeling of guilt when turning back.

Sex addicts are very inventive and they often do things that do not come in other people's minds. There are those who fraudulently enter hospitals and, pretending to be doctors examine patients. Others, when staying in hotels go to bed naked without a blanket and pretend to be sleeping in the morning waiting for maid. Also there are those who fix miniature cameras in WC. They are a kind of unstoppable maniacs. They are everywhere, says Chuck Palahniuk in his Choke. He says that they through changing sex partners they try to get rid of loneliness and to give their unclaimed tenderness and passion to someone who needs it.

Sex addicts do suffer from their disorder. Inability to control sexual desire leads to a great deal of problems in family life and in social areas, as searching for a new partner makes the addict neglect his or her every day duties. Sexoholics get tired of constant search for a new partner and get depressed being unable to cope with their uncontrolled desire.

Sexoholism does require applying to a psychotherapist. Do you want to know whether you are a sex addict? Consider the following signs and symptoms

• You are over 35, you had a great number of sex partners, but none of them had become a regular partner for a long time
• You often fall in love, but after a very short amount of time you get dissatisfied and get rid of the new partner
• You often have sex with casual partners, sometimes even with complete strangers.
• You are enormously interested in Internet porn and x-rated films
• You often use telephone sex services
• You have sexual fantasies related to BDSM activities
• And the last thing, signs of sexoholism, according to Chuck Palahniuk:
  • You make holes in your lingerie or bathing suit so that your genitalia could be seen
  • You enter a telephone box with your trousers or blouse undone, pretend to be speaking on the phone and stay so that passers-by could see your lingerie
  • You don't wear bra under thin clothes so that to attract new sex partners.