A person who has a sex addiction or hypersexuality is someone who experiences sexual urges that are out of control and interfere with his or her daily life. They might engage in behaviors like masturbation or porn watching, and they often keep these activities secret from their friends and family. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, people who suffer from sex addiction may also have other underlying mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression.

A sex addiction can also cause a loss of trust in intimate relationships. Many of the behaviors associated with this condition involve a significant amount of secrecy and dishonesty, which can break down a marriage or partnership and damage a parent-child relationship. If the behavior involves children, it can even lead to child abuse charges. It’s common for sex addiction to cause problems in work performance and financial issues, as people spend a lot of time seeking or engaging in sex, which can negatively affect their professional lives.

Inpatient treatment centers that offer sex addiction recovery programs typically provide patients with a safe environment to work through their symptoms and begin healing. They’re usually located in secluded areas and include individual and group therapy sessions, educational classes and recreational activities. Outpatient treatment programs are also available for those who can’t take time off from work or home life to attend a residential facility. These options are generally more flexible than a residential treatment program and follow a similar model as Alcoholics Anonymous.