We could not stop acting out sexually, even when we faced negative or disastrous consequences. Others may have engaged in the same behaviors without ill effect, but we could not. No matter how sincerely we desired to stop our preoccupation with sex and our destructive sexual behavior, we found that we were powerless to change. We found ourselves isolated and alone, often gripped with fear and despair. Many of us went against our own moral values, for sex became an overpowering force in our lives. Much of our time was spent acting out or trying to manage the resulting crises and problems. We repeated sexual behaviors even though we were often aware of the potential risk to others and ourselves. Sex became our way to get relief from negative feelings and further avoid responsibility. Sex-related obsessions filled our minds and distorted our thinking.
While living in addiction, our preoccupation with sex and sexual fantasy became more important than friends, family, and career. We refer to these behaviors as acting out. Both were destructive, because they led us to addictive sexual behavior.
We experienced compulsion, which is an urge that is stronger than our will to resist. We experienced obsession, which is mental preoccupation with sexual behavior or fantasies. Thus, its consequences usually became more severe over time. Sex addiction was progressive for most of us.
0 kommentar(er)
