Counseling

Sexual Addiction or Sexual Compulsivity

What to Call It?

When it comes to the world of recovery and mental health, the labels we use can often feel like a maze. If you are struggling with out-of-control sexual behaviors, you might find yourself wondering: am I a “sex addict,” “sexually compulsive,” or do I have a “disorder”? The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder as an official diagnosis in the eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Meanwhile, in the United States, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) indirectly classifies this as a potential issue. Clinicians utilize diagnostic criteria from both the DSM and the ICD to help clients create treatment plans and establish appropriate care.

The Official Criteria for Diagnosis

According to the ICD-11, the criteria for diagnosing Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder include:

A persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behavior.
Repetitive sexual activities become a central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities, and responsibilities.
Numerous unsuccessful efforts to significantly reduce repetitive sexual behavior.
Continued repetitive sexual behavior despite adverse consequences or deriving little or no satisfaction from it.
Furthermore, this pattern must be manifested over an extended period (e.g., 6 months or more) and cause marked distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, or occupational functioning. It is important to note that distress related entirely to moral judgments or disapproval is not sufficient to meet this requirement.

How Clinicians Evaluate Addiction

This description mirrors the criteria therapists typically use when evaluating for an addiction of any type: both substance-based and behavioral. The shorthand version of those criteria includes:

Preoccupation with a substance or behavior.
Loss of control over the use, evidenced by multiple failed attempts to quit or cut back.
Directly related negative life consequences.

While the APA officially refers to addictions as “use disorders,” the terms “addiction” and “compulsivity” are commonly used colloquially by both clinicians and clients.

Professional vs. Personal Terminology

As far as clinicians are concerned, they use clinical language and criteria to diagnose and effectively share information from a professional standpoint. It is essential for therapists to use official diagnostic language like “substance use disorder” or “compulsive sexual behavior disorder.” However, groups providing support to individuals use much more varied terminology, such as:

Sex Addicts Anonymous
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
Sexaholics Anonymous
Sexual Recovery Anonymous
Porn Addicts Anonymous

Language in the Real World

In the real world, people don’t usually walk into a support group and say, “Hi, I’m Joe, and I have a substance use disorder.” Instead, they use phrases like, “Hi, I’m Joe, and I’m an alcoholic.” Individuals struggling with compulsive sexual behavior often self-identify as sex addicts, porn addicts, or love addicts. Hardly any of them refer to their issue as a “use disorder.” No one in sexual recovery self-identifies as “suffering from compulsive sexual behavior disorder”: they say they are sexually addicted or sexually compulsive.

At Thrive Beyond Trauma Counseling, we understand that the path to recovery is personal. Whether you resonate with clinical terms or prefer the language of support groups, our goal is to provide a safe space for you to navigate your journey. If you are ready to regain control and find a path toward healing, contact us today to learn how we can support you.

Address: Suite C, 37923 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI

Phone: (248) 392-3733

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If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency services, or visit the nearest emergency room.

Thrive Beyond Trauma Counseling does not provide crisis or emergency services.