The following are a series of statements from SRA members that describe their feelings and behaviors around the addiction. Do these statements apply to you? Be honest with yourself.
- I think about sex or romantic relationships most of the time.
- I often feel shame, regret or remorse after sexual fantasy or behavior.
- I want to stop masturbating but I can’t.
- I have difficulty staying monogamous in a relationship.
- I break promises to myself to stop my unwanted sexual behavior.
- My sexual behavior isolates me from my friends, family, etc.
- My obsession with pornography interferes with my real relationships.
- I obsessively sexualize people on the street.
- I put myself at risk of sexually- transmitted diseases.
- I’ve been afraid of my “double life” and sexual secrets being discovered.
- I’ve spent a great deal of time or money on sex.
- I have felt compelled to seek new sexual or romantic highs.
- My sexual behavior has put me in dangerous situations.
- I have hurt myself or others as a result of my sexual behavior.
- I have engaged in any of the following: voyeurism; exhibitionism; anonymous sex; phone sex; trading for sex; paying for or being paid for sex; abusive sex.
- I have been unable to say no to other people’s sexual advances.
- I have risked or lost my job because of my sexual behavior.
- I feel empty when not in a sexual or romantic relationship.
- I feel sex is my most important need.
- I am obsessed with romantic possibilities.
- I flirt even when I don’t mean to.
- I obsess about a specific person or act even though it may be painful.
- I confuse sex with love.
- My sexual behavior has made my life unmanageable.
Sex addiction is a self-diagnosed disease. The above statements are an aid to help you decide if you are addicted. If you have related to any of these statements, SRA may be a place where you can find help. You are not alone.