High speed internet browser connection

“Three to six percent of the population is believed to suffer from sexual addiction, but, due to the stigma and people not seeking treatment, this statistic may be an underestimate,” says Ronald Frederick, LP, PhD, a psychologist practicing in Minneapolis and the founder of the Center for Courageous Living.

In other words, according to this estimate, about 200,000 Americans are struggling with sexual addiction.

But CNN reported otherwise. In the CNN article “When Sex Becomes an Addiction” by Elizabeth Landau, it is stated that “millions” of Americans have a sexual addiction. The number has sky-rocketed in recent years because the internet provides “endless opportunities for porn-watching and cybersex.”

“We’re seeing it with epidemic proportions now, particularly with regards to cybersex,” said Mark Schwartz, psychologist and former director of the Masters and Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. “There isn’t a week that goes by where I don’t get two calls” about sex addiction.

Basically, in the current age of the internet it is difficult to estimate how many people suffer from a sexual addiction, but it is clear is that the number is escalating rapidly.

Do You Have a Sexual Addiction?

We’ve written several posts that outline some of the most common behaviors of a sex addict. One thing that is important to understand is that someone who has an affair or someone who uses pornography is not necessarily a sex addict.

However, such behaviors may be termed a sexual addiction when they:

  • occur in spite of the damage they do to a person’s relationships,
  • take over a person’s time and are prioritized over other commitments, and
  • are impossible to abandon (a big tell-tale sign).

If you find that you are driven to engage in sexual behaviors against your better judgment, you suffer from a sexual addiction.

When to Seek Help

It is never too early—or too late, for that matter—to seek the healing power of rehabilitation from sexual addiction.

If you have a full-blown sexual addiction that has torn your life apart, we encourage you to know that you can heal, as hard as it may be to believe right now. LifeStar has witnessed those who are skeptical of rehabilitation go on to change their minds—and lives—after enrolling in LifeStar’s intensive outpatient program.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have a sexual addiction, we also encourage you to seek therapy immediately. Nipping the problem in the bud is always wise!

Here at LifeStar, we customize your sexual addiction healing program according to your personal struggles. Contact us to learn more about how LifeStar can help you experience the transformation you need to live a life free from the shackles of addiction.