There has been a lot of media coverage in recent months on the topic of sexual addictions, due to several celebrities coming out publicly and declaring that they are dealing with this issue. Once a topic of amusement, the threat that sexual addiction poses to your wellness and wellbeing is now becoming better known.
One area of sexual addiction that is not as well known is the threat posed by sex addiction on the internet. Over 60 percent of those who look for help with cyber sex addiction are people who would not consider renting an adult video or going to a strip club, but who do not have the same barriers when it comes to downloading pornography on the internet or talking to strangers online in sexually explicit chat rooms. Cyber sex is a relatively new phenomenon, and with that has come a new downside: addiction.
Researchers have found that the web can lure and trap people to the extent that they end up needing therapy for their addiction to sex. Interacting with people online can be incredibly tempting for the sexually compulsive. The attraction of feeling desired and the ability to express an alter ego can be intoxicating, as it allows people to escape from any problems they may have in the ‘real world’.
The threat is sometimes referred to as ‘triple A’: Affordability, Accessibility and Anonymity. The internet can be compared to a powerful drug, because of the sense of immediate gratification they give. If addiction goes untreated, it can get worse and potentially lead to disastrous consequences. People can neglect their families, their spouses and their friends, or even put their jobs in jeopardy.
Common side effects of online sex addiction include relationship destruction and the impairment of job performance. It can also lead to people indulging in risky behaviours, such as giving out details online or exchanging images that they cannot retrieve.
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