What Is “Sex Addiction” And Is It Real?

“Sex addiction” is a phrase often used to describe a compulsive disorder that’s characterized by an intense need and urge to engage in sexual activities, often despite negative consequences — but it isn’t a recognized diagnosis in and of itself.
Here’s what you need to understand about “sex addiction”:
- “Sex addiction” is a phrase that’s commonly used to refer to compulsive sexual behavior disorder or hypersexuality, which is characterized by persistent and escalating engagement in sexual activities.
- It’s important to note that “sex addiction” is not considered to be a diagnosable condition by the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Association of Sexual Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), or the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Symptoms of “sex addiction” include compulsive sexual thoughts, activities and behaviors, difficulty controlling sexual impulses, and a preoccupation with sex, which can be caused by a range of biological, psychological, or social factors.
- Treatment for “sex addiction” usually includes counseling and therapy but it’s difficult to diagnose because there are no established diagnostic criteria in place.
Although one’s symptoms may be considered signs of “sex addiction” in certain circles and there are treatment programs designed for it, specifically, the condition is not recognized by major psychological or sexual education associations — and we’ll explain why.
Editor’s note: In this article, the term “sex addiction” is used to describe what many equate to compulsive sexual behavior disorder— although only the latter is considered a diagnosable condition by the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the American Association of Sexual Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. Currently, there is no evidence that finds symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior are an addiction.
This statement does not imply that the symptoms are not real or valid; it refers to formal terminology only. The terminology used may impact everything from diagnosis to treatment.