Married men often labelled as sexual addicts seek help after being discovered to have broken monogamy rules for sexual behavior through their use of
- masturbation,
- pornography,
- cybersex,
- commercial sex involvement,
- bizarre sexual pursuits, or
- affairs.
This study analyzed the sexual patterns and dynamics of 30 men who presented to one clinician between 2005 and 2009.
Their important differences were captured by a 6-category spectrum:
- no sexual excess beyond breaking the spouse’s restrictive rules
- discovery of husband’s longstanding sexual secrets
- new discovery of the joys of commercial sex
- the bizarre or sexual perversion
- alternate concept of normal masculinity, and
- spiraling psychological deterioration..
Only the men with a spiraling psychological deterioration—about 25% of the sample with sexual issues—could reasonably be described as having a sexual addiction. This group experienced significant psychological failures before the onset of their deterioration.
Another 25% were adequately defined with sexual perversion.
Half of the sample was not adequately described using addiction, compulsivity, impulsivity, and relationship incapacity models.
Note; This does not mean that 25% of men are sexual addicts or have a sexual perversion. These figures are only for men who actually sought help for a problem.
Stephen B. Levine, What is Sexual Addiction? Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, Volume36, Issue 3 May 2010 , pages 261 – 275
- See also
- Out of the Shadows of Sexual Addiction
- Sexual Compulsive Anonymous
- Cross Dressing
- Sex Therapy
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