Thursday, April 7, 2016

Sex Addicts can Experience Withdrawal

Have you recently begun abstaining from sex in order to begin your recovery from sexual addiction? Have you experienced irritability, anxiety, or agitation during this time? If so, you could be experiencing withdrawal.

Similar to drug addiction, sex addicts are addicted to the release of neurochemicals in the brain's pleasure center. These chemicals are activated by stimulating activities that the addict engages in, such as sexual activities, pornography, and masturbation. When an addict stops engaging in such activities, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. Some experts believe that letting go of sexual addiction can be more painful than withdrawing from drugs.

Sexual addicts usually experience the worst withdrawal symptoms during the first two weeks of abstinence. Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to depression, vomiting, sweating, tremors and shaking, inability to think straight, hypersensitivity, despair, numbness, insecurity, and grief. Symptoms can often change, or go from one extreme to another. The reason for the symptoms is because the addict's mind, emotions, and spirit are being rebalanced while healthy coping skills are learned.

It is important that an addict braves the withdrawal symptoms, and does not give in to the addiction. Recovering addicts can generate help from support groups, therapists, and friends and family members. These symptoms will go away after time, and every day that you do not give in to your addiction, you are one step closer to recovery.

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