Masturbation is a natural sexual act. However, when masturbation is used frequently   as a self-medicating tool to enhance your mood, it can quickly become a compulsion. In basic terms, masturbation addiction is a compulsive need to masturbate. The addict loses the power to choose when and where to masturbate. This loss of choice and power is the basis of any sex addiction. The question is how much is too much? Are you in control of when and where you masturbate? Are you troubled by how many times you need to masturbate? Are you often late to work because you [...]

Is there a link between Depression and Porn Addiction? Depression and addiction go hand in hand. This is especially true of addiction to internet pornography. Symptoms of depression is commonly seen in porn addicts. One of the core beliefs of a porn addict is: "I am an unworthy person" (Carnes, Demonico & Griffin, 2001).  This mirrors what a depressed person feels about himself/herself. Other feelings common to both addiction and depression are isolation, irritability, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, etc. When a person is struggling with addiction along with depression, it is a double whammy or as professionals would  call it -- [...]

Is it possible for a woman to be a sex addict?  Sex addiction is commonly overlooked in clinical assessments of women. Society once believed women could not be alcoholics and now it cannot accept or may be does not want to accept that women can be sex addicts as well. Women around the world are socialized as nurturers and caregivers rather than receivers. However, it this same socialization and expectation that prevents a woman from seeking help for her problem. There is another reason why clinical diagnosis is difficult in women. Sex addiction presents very differently in women than in [...]

Sex addiction is thought to be a sign of moral weakness by our society. Because of this, most of us do not even wish to discuss the topic.  We are either embarrassed or ashamed of such behaviors. People may view sex addicts as being morally repugnant and will label them as “perverts” or simply “weird”. If you have ever tried to speak about sex addiction with your friends or family, you have probably been met with embarrassed looks or an abrupt change of subject. You may also have met with dismissive statements like "men are dogs". As a society, we [...]

There have been many scientific advances on addictive behaviors and how the brain works. It is believed that the brain slowly molds drug behaviors and addictions through brain circuitry, genes, and how environmental factors affect them. Alcohol especially seems to have a strong effect on the brain, which may in turn develop into an addiction and can even be passed through hereditary genes. NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow claims that “Drug addiction is a brain disease”. He further states that while drug and alcohol may originally be taken voluntarily, it very quickly spins out of control and the user [...]

Researchers believe that all addictions, whether they are for work, pornography, eating, sex, or gambling have very similar processes going on inside the brain. Dr. Sabine Grüsser-Sinopoli of Germany believes “Addiction is all the same”. This ideology is very profound in that it means any overindulgence we choose to partake of may in fact become an addiction with negative effects to our health. Many of us like to dismiss pornography as something harmless, with a “Guys will be Guys” attitude. Others believe that it is destructive to families and demeaning to women. However, regardless of whether society or our environments [...]

Anxiety and Porn Addiction: FAQ Is there a link between anxiety and Sex Addiction? Anxiety and Addictions often go hand in hand.  Anxiety is an emotion that seeks to be relieved immediately.  Very often, when we feel anxious about a particular issue, we may try to solve the problem or plan ways to mitigate the issue.   When anxiety is limited to a definite issue, it can be resolved with effective problem-solving methods.  However, people who are prone to worry or feel anxious will tell you that certain issues can trigger anxiety symptoms that are way out of proportion or reasonable. [...]