Sex is the number one commodity on line and, according to research, 65% of the hits on line are related to sex. Pornopreneurs are marketing sex via the Internet for windfall profits. They lure consumers and provide custom tailored sex experiences. Curious children and adolescents, the lonely, disabled and other vulnerable people are exploited by slick marketing techniques and sophisticated technology.
Cybersex addiction may include the following:
- Accessing Internet porn
- Frequenting sex and romance chat rooms
- Hooking up for sex on social networking sites
- Cruising dating sites for sex
- Real time sex via webcam
- Collecting and trading Internet porn
- Buying phone sex or escort services
- Preoccupation and obsession about these activities
Clinicians are seeing increasing numbers of clients of all ages and walks of life who are addicted to cybersex. Examples are:
- Children accidentally addicted at seven or eight years old when they were playing games online and discovered porn
- Adolescents addicted to online romances and have had dozens of “affairs”
- Women addicted to romantic and sexual conversation in chat rooms where thought they were getting the “special attention” they craved
- Clergy addicted to porn they started viewing to relax and escape from overwork and loneliness
- Highly paid businessmen and talented professionals addicted to online phone sex and escort services who have lost families, jobs or thousands of dollars to the addiction before starting treatment
Cybersex addicts spend inordinate amounts of time, energy and money on cybersex and are unable to resist the urges to continue. Other aspects of life such as family involvement, academic or work responsibilities, social development, health and self care are often neglected.
Cybersex addiction is a medical problem based on the dysregulation of brain
chemistry. It is a serious and progressive illness which can advance to more risky behaviors. If you or a loved one is suffering from cybersex addiction, treatment is available. Consult a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist or qualified addiction specialist in your area or attend SA or SLAA—12 step groups for sex addicts.
Sex Addiction Overview
