This is a question we’ve looked at many times before and if you Google it, you’ll find an ever-growing body of information and research answering that question. No matter how much we talk about the biological, psychological and social aspects of the condition, sex addiction and porn addiction are still hard to identify.
There are several reasons why recognising compulsive sexual behaviours are problematic, and we’re going to drill down into understanding these more over our next series of blogs. We’ll dig deeper into the following questions:
- Am I an addict or do I just have a high sex drive?
- Am I an addict or am I just in the wrong relationship?
- Am I an addict or am I just ‘an arsehole’? This one is a direct quote from one of my current recovery groups and a very common concern
But today, we’re going to start with ‘Am I an addict or am I just overreacting?’
Am I A Sex Or Porn Addict?
Have you ever had one of those irritating ‘intermittent’ problems with your car? You know, the one that’s there one day and gone the next. Some days you know that something’s not right because the ride is slow and bumpy – or both. It’s distracting. You wonder if you need to get to the garage for an expert opinion and you worry that if you don’t you might have a complete breakdown. But just as you’re thinking that it seems to be OK again. Maybe you imagined it? Or you overreacted? Or exaggerated the severity of the problem? Perhaps you spoke to a mechanic and were told they couldn’t see what the issue was? You’re temporarily relieved, but it’s just a matter of time before the niggling starts again – along with the anxiety. Do you see where I’m going with this?
Sex addiction and porn addiction can sometimes be like that car with an intermittent fault. It’s a hindrance, an annoyance, a distraction – but it’s not that bad. But here’s the thing – do you really want to wait until you have a complete breakdown? Alone on the hard shoulder of life, hoping someone will rescue you?
Regrettably, it’s a well-known fact that many people don’t get into recovery until they hit rock bottom, but that’s not how it has to be. If the only problems you’re currently facing are ‘intermittent’, that doesn’t mean you have to wait before you find out more about sex and porn addiction.
Understanding Sex Addiction
At The Laurel Centre, we offer a range of services to help you find out more about sex and porn addiction. The easiest and most convenient option is to use our ‘Talk to a Therapist’ service or you can join one of our Kick Start Workshops.
Talk to A Therapist
By following this link, you can pick a date and time that’s most convenient for you and book a session with one of our fully trained and experienced clinical associates to talk about sex addiction and/or porn addiction. Your therapist will listen to your individual situation and circumstances and answer any questions that you have. They will also advise you on what to do next to help you overcome your difficulties.
The Kick Start Workshop
The Kick Start Workshop is a great way to start your journey to recovery. It is a three-hour workshop delivered via Zoom, which will allow you to discover whether you are addicted to sex, understand the addiction better and begin to create a recovery plan. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 12 attendees and is delivered by Dr Paula Hall and John Dix.
Finding The Right Sex Addiction Or Porn Addiction Help For You
Establishing whether you have a sex or porn addiction is a vital first step towards recovery, but as we’ve said, unfortunately, it can be difficult. If you are at the start of your journey, you may find it helpful to use our self-assessment tool – ‘Am I A Sex Addict?’. This is free, confidential and anonymous to use
If neither the Talk to a Therapist option nor Kickstart Workshop feels like the right help for you, visit our website to find loads more information and resources.
Next blog, we’ll look at the role of relationships in diagnosing and understanding sex addiction and porn addiction, we hope that you will find this series helpful.
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