Many people enjoy sex, and wish to engage in it more often than they normally do, but persistent sexual desires, thoughts, and behavior can become unwelcome and problematic. A subset of individuals who become preoccupied with sexual fantasies and urges act on these impulses while feeling that they have no control over those actions—repeatedly sending explicit texts and images, for example, or atte
What Is Sex Addiction? (Plain Language Explanation)
Sex Addiction refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Sex Addiction
- Symptoms: The specific ways sex addiction shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen sex addiction
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When sex addiction occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Sex Addiction
- Sex Addiction is far more common than most people realize
- Sex Addiction is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with sex addiction see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about sex addiction is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing sex addiction, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.