How Common Is Sex Addiction?

The following article was found at: The Ranch. Dated December 24, 2016 .

People addicted to sex engage in sexual thoughts, fantasies and behaviors that make it difficult for them to retain a sense of well-being and function well in important aspects of daily life. Unlike many mental health issues, sex addiction does not have an official definition used by all doctors when making a diagnosis. Despite this fact, significant numbers of people are affected.

Establishing a Definition

Mental health professionals may use the term sex addiction when describing people whose sex-related thoughts, fantasies and actions cause problems for them and/or others. They may also use other terms, including hypersexual disorder, hypersexuality or compulsive sexual behavior.

Regardless of which label is used, core symptoms of the condition include:

Compulsive sexual urges
An inability to control or limit sexual behavior
Frequent involvement in risky sexual behavior
Changes in mood
Increased tolerance, potentially resulting in a need for riskier or more intense sexual experiences
Prioritizing sexual behavior over other daily activities
Inability to meet home, work or school responsibilities because of compulsive sexual behavior
Withdrawal symptoms similar to some forms of substance withdrawal when trying to halt or cut back on sexual behavior

Sex Addiction Statistics

How many people are affected by sex addiction? Unfortunately, the condition has not received the type of widespread scientific interest given to substance addiction and some other forms of behavioral addiction. Still, numerous studies have been conducted in recent years. A 2014 review in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Design explores these studies in detail. At the low end, this review indicates that about three out of every 100 adults have serious sex-related issues. At the high end, the level of impact rises to 16 out of every 100 adults. The most accurate estimates likely fall in the 3 to 6% range.

Some studies indicate that men develop sex addiction roughly twice as often as women. Affected people sometimes start their sex lives at an unusually early age, and many suffered early life trauma. In addition, they frequently have an unusually large number of sexual contacts during adulthood.

If you wish to read the whole story in order, now with notes, on my experience with Steven Monteforte (AKA Steven Joseph, and Jersey Steve) Here it is in order.

Post 1 Steven Monteforte Series. Start here. Taking Chances.

Post 2 Steven Monteforte Series. What Self-Preservation Mode Looks like… it ain’t pretty..

Post 3 Steven Monteforte Series. An Update.

Post 4 Steven Monteforte Series. The Incongruity of My Current Situation.

Post 5 Steven Monteforte Series. Final Credits.

Post 6, Steven Monteforte Series. It is what it is…

Post 7 Steven Monteforte Series. It must be a Marvel Movie!

Post 8 Steven Monteforte Series. Previews of Coming Events.

Post 9 Steven Monteforte Series. Sociopaths and Narcissists.

Post 10 Steven Monteforte Series. Stop blaming yourself.

Post 11 Steven Monteforte Series. The night I spent with him in Sturgis.

Post 12 Steven Monteforte Series. He tries to bully me into silence.