Some struggle to believe it’s a true addiction because, for most, it’s enjoyable and comes naturally. But, the positive feelings (both physical and emotional) that come with sex are exactly what can lead many into addiction. Perhaps they’re using it to escape negative thought patterns or circumstances, to relieve symptoms of mental illness, or as a way to cope with trauma.

There are many ways and reasons a sex addiction may develop – but it can still be hard to detect, at times.

Signs and Symptoms of Sex Addiction

If you’re worried that you may be developing a sexual addiction, you can look for the following signs and symptoms:

• Obsessive and chronic sexual thoughts and fantasies
• Lying to others to cover up certain behaviours
• Frequent and compulsive relations with several partners, possibly even including strangers
• You’re preoccupied with having sex, even when/if it interferes with your daily obligations, activities, and responsibilities
• You can’t stop yourself from thinking about/having frequent sexual relations
• Engaging in or seeking out sexual encounters if/when it may be dangerous or unwise
• Feeling guilty or remorseful after sex
• Experiencing negative consequences in your personal life – such as relationship strain or trouble at work

These can all be tough to identify in someone else, especially if they’re not ready to be honest about their struggle. If you’re worried about a loved one, you can watch for some more general signs that women’s pornography addiction treatment or some other intervention may be required:

• Missing work or school
• Neglecting other previously enjoyed hobbies or activities
• Suspicious behaviour such as hiding things or lying
• They are more irritably, angry, aggressive, or impulsive than usual

If you’re at all worried and unsure what to do, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our staff is ready to help and will get back to you quickly.

At Lily Recovery, we offer compassionate and effective women’s hypersexual disorder treatment. Our program was designed by women, for women specifically. We know that recovering from this addiction is a sensitive process and we want you to be as comfortable as possible.

This is why we also only accept women, and our staff is comprised of only women, as well. Our women’s sex addiction treatment program includes a few elements, all of which offer unique benefits.

Our counsellors and therapists are highly trained in a wide variety of therapy methods and techniques. This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan for every person. They’ll consider your specific issues and circumstances as well as your past and any known triggers when creating a treatment strategy.

While there are many ways to go about women’s sex addiction treatment, there are a couple of the most common methods:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy. CBT is an extremely popular method for treating addiction and mental illness – which often go hand in hand! This method of therapy helps you determine what thoughts and behaviours may have contributed to developing the compulsive behaviours you struggle with. Then, it helps you develop techniques to manage these compulsions better and to create healthier thinking and behavioural patterns.
• Motivational therapy. This is another common form of therapy since motivation is often one of the hardest parts of recovering! It’s easy to become discouraged and disheartened. This form of therapy uses techniques and specific lines of questioning to help you nurture a genuine desire to continue treatment and ultimately recover. When you truly want to get better, it’s easier to stay the course and commit to treatment.

Many sex addiction programs for women include group therapy because it’s so helpful and effective. While our program includes plenty of private one-on-one time with our counselors and therapists, you’ll also participate in regular group sessions.

While it may feel intimidating at first, you’ll experience many benefits:

• Learning new things. By discussing deep and serious topics with others, you may see a new perspective, gain new strategies, and discover new coping methods.
• By hearing the successes of others, no matter how small, you’ll gain confidence in your own treatment. This can help you maintain the desire and motivation to go on.
• Community and support. Struggling with addiction can be an isolating experience. By engaging in group therapy, you’ll develop a support network of other women who can directly relate to your experience.

Lastly, we offer a series of holistic activities as a part of our women-only sexual compulsivity rehab program. These activities have several purposes:

• To offer complete healing of the mind, body, and spirit
• To complement and enhance other forms of treatment
• To enrich your stay and hopefully give you some things to enjoy

Some of these things and activities include:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Journaling
• Art therapy
• Local and in-house NA, CA, and AA meetings
• Workout equipment
• A lovely outdoor lounge
• Access to plenty of nature
• Healthy, chef-prepared meals
• And more

We encourage all clients to utilize as many of these things as possible. It’ll help you stay relaxed, calm, focused, and centred.