What Causes Sex Addiction?
Biological Factors
The human brain is a chemical powerhouse. Throughout the day, our brains undergo chemical reactions that influence our bodily functions. There is a specific range for all our systems to be working within to be considered “normal” or at a level of homeostasis.
If hormones become imbalanced, especially our levels of serotonin and dopamine, this can affect our impulse control. When we experience any dysregulation in the reward pathways, it could lead to compulsive sexual behaviors.
Genetic Factors
Sexual addiction can fall under the larger mental health umbrella. Similar to other mental health conditions, when someone in your family has a history of addiction, you will have a genetic predisposition and increased vulnerability to your own experience.
If you’ve grown up witnessing specific behaviors, it’s also possible that you’ve developed learned behaviors of your own. You may go through many years of your adolescence and adulthood without these behaviors surfacing, but then something triggers them.
Psychological Factors
When it comes to compulsive sexual behaviors, psychological factors are typically central to the cause. Addiction to sexual activity can be the product of poor coping mechanisms to help deal with past trauma, abuse, neglect, anxiety, and any other life stressors.
There have also been suggestions that these behaviors are linked to underlying mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
Environmental Factors
Your surroundings can significantly influence your behavior and personality. If you were exposed to sexual content early on, or if you had unhealthy, chaotic role models or caregivers as a child, it could contribute to your addictive behaviors.
With R-rated (or beyond) content now instantly accessible and more prevalent than ever, it can also contribute to the development of these behaviors. Society is also shifting to more of a sex-positive opinion, making sexual activity more acceptable now than it ever has been. Not that there’s anything wrong with the idea of sex, but it can cross the line of addiction.
Spiritual Factors
For some people, the development of a sex addiction stems from this desire to find a spiritual connection. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a wrong-place endeavor.
Maybe there was a past traumatic experience. Maybe you’re stuck in a phase where you’re struggling to find meaning or purpose. To fill some spiritual void or even to build up your self-image, you end up turning to sexual activity. As this void remains open, this is where the excessiveness begins.
Behavioral Factors
You can ask almost anyone who has battled addiction of any kind; there is some element of positive reinforcement that keeps reeling you back in once you start.
Engaging in sexual activity can produce a high feeling that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. For those moments in time, you find relief from stress or emotional pain. You feel good in the act. This sensation can make it hard to stop these behaviors. The chemical reactions they produce become a “necessity.”
Breaking the Cycle
If you or a loved one is struggling with a sex addiction, there are treatment options available to you. Treatment programs and therapy sessions will help restore your control over your life and develop healthier coping strategies. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.