How To Overcome Sex Addiction [5 Steps]

How to Recover from Sexual Addiction?

Recovering from sexual addiction is challenging for most people. But acceptance is the first crucial step in succeeding.

When you're trying to overcome an addiction, it can feel like you're at the bottom of a very deep hole. You feel stuck and hopeless, and sometimes even suicidal. But the thing about all addictions is that they are fundamentally about denial: an inability to accept something about ourselves or our lives as they are. So if we want to be free from our addictions, we need to start by accepting them.

Any person might think this means giving up completely on your dreams of having a healthy sex life—but that's not what we mean at all! Acceptance doesn't mean giving up on your hopes and dreams; it means acknowledging that they aren't going to happen right now, and making peace with that reality.

Here are some of the 5 steps you can follow in overcoming a process addiction such as sexual addiction.

Understand That You Have a Problem

Understanding that you have a problem is the primary key to recovering from sexual addiction. This may be a hard pill to swallow for most people. But the challenging part is always necessary for you to move on with getting better.

When it comes to sex, you need to be aware of some things: how much sex do you have? How often do you have sex? What kind of sex do you prefer? What type of person do you want as a partner? Do you feel like your relationships are healthy and satisfying?

Make a Decision to Recover from Sex Addiction

Deciding to recover from sex addiction is not an easy decision. It takes time, patience, and a lot of introspection on your part.

You need to first understand what it means to be addicted to sex. This may be different for all as some people can have sex without feeling addicted, while others fight the constant urge all the time.

As you identify your sexual behaviors and patterns, you'll need some time to reflect on them and see if it negatively impacts your life. If you feel that this is a constant challenge, it's about time to make a change and seek help.

Find Treatment

There are two treatment types for sex addiction that you can get: inpatient and outpatient.

Inpatient mental health treatment is the most intensive form of therapy and recovery, and it's often recommended for those who have been struggling with their behavior for a long time or have developed significant problems as a result of their addiction. Inpatient treatment involves living at the facility for an extended period—usually weeks or months—and receiving individualized care from a team of therapists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals.

Outpatient mental health is less intensive than inpatient care and is usually recommended if you've only been struggling with your behavior for a short amount of time or if you don't have any significant problems as a result of your addiction. Outpatient treatment generally involves meeting with an addiction counselor every week to discuss your progress and continue working towards sobriety.

Find After-Care Programs

After completing your sexual addiction treatment, you may be wondering what to expect next. You may even think if after-care programs are right for you and what exactly they're designed to do.

First, let's talk about what after-care programs are. These programs are a set of activities that continue the process of recovery long after the main treatment ends. They are usually run by former addicts who have been through the same treatment program and have completed it. Additionally, these can help you stay sober and avoid relapsing into old habits.

The main goal of after-care is to give you the tools you need to become self-sufficient in your recovery.

Join Support Groups like SA

Joining support groups for sex addiction is a great way to get the support you need to recover.

When you join a support group, you're getting access to people who have been through similar experiences as you and understand what it's like. They're able to provide insight into a sex addict situation that might not be available from other sources—and they'll be there when you need them most.

Some notable examples of these groups include Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), Love Addicts Anonymous, and many more.

Do many Sex Addicts Recover?

The short answer is yes. Many sex addicts do recover from their addiction, and many stay sober. However, there are no guarantees. If you're a sex addict and you want to get help, you can be sure that it's possible—but it will take time, effort, and commitment on your part. And if you're not ready to make those commitments? Then it's probably not going to happen for you.

If you've been struggling with your addiction for a long time and are ready to make the commitment required to recover from your addiction, then there are many tools available to help you along the way. But ultimately, you'll also want to find a sponsor—someone who has been through recovery themselves who can guide and support you as you work toward sobriety.

Can Transcend Recovery Community Assist Sex Addicts?

Sex and love addicts may find that having support groups and treatment is not just the way to recover from addiction. During treatment, staying at sober living residences (with the option of separate men's or women's sober living) can restore your confidence. You would no longer feel shame from your past behaviors as you have people supporting you and guiding you in many aspects of your life, be it spiritually, mentally, or physically.

Gain more insight about how Transcend Recovery can do just that for you or your loved one. Our team is ready to assist you today. Contact us now and let's start your recovery journey together.