Sexual Addiction
Breaking It Down…

Core issues of Sexual Addiction
The need to be nurtured – Fear of Intimacy – False Intimacy – Lack of self worth - The need to be in control – Rage – Self hate – Escape – Loneliness – Shame – Inability to make commitments – Spiritual bankruptcy

Addictive Behavior of Sexual Addiction
Multiple adultery – Illicit relationships – Sex with self (masturbation) – Sexual Fantasy - Pornography – Promiscuity – Internet Chat Rooms – Phone sex – Exhibitionist – Exotic dancing – Serve as an escort/prostitution – Swapping (couples) - Intentional provocative dress – Sexual encounters/Sexual relationships with women - Secret double life – High-risk situations – Predator

Characteristics that Fuel Sexual Addiction
Lust – Being lusted after – Control, power over others – Rebelliousness – Selfishness - Extreme justification – Blame game – Resentful – Revengeful – Self centered - Self-destructive – Pride – Jealousy – Female competition – Non-committal in relationships - Isolation

Core

• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Physical abuse
• Abandonment

How can Celebrate Recovery Help?

Celebrate Recovery offers Christ-centered support for men and women seeking recovery from lust and compulsive sexual behaviors. The cornerstone for our recovery is the power and love of Jesus Christ. It is built upon the fellowship of the group, having a safe place to share our struggles, pain, and victories, with the accountability and the mutual support of the group throughout the week. How do you know if you need this kind of support? We offer the following observations concerning what is true for those of us who struggle with sexual addictions:

We share a common experience of engaging in sexual behaviors, which are demoralizing and demeaning to another, or ourselves. We feel unable to stop these behaviors, in spite of the adverse consequences to our lives. We have sacrificed relationships, jobs, or our humanity, and yet we continued to engage in these damaging and compulsive behaviors.

Many of us share a common history of some type of childhood abuse. We were yelled at or told we were worthless or stupid or ugly. Today we recognize this as emotional abuse. We were neglected, knocked down, or struck with objects. Today we know this to be physical abuse. Lastly, we were touched, pawed, coerced or forced into sexual activities. Today we call this sexual abuse. Whatever abuses we suffered, we learned that to survive we had to find a way to stop feeling the overwhelming and unbearable pain.

Instinctively we built walls around our hearts. Lust is a magical wall in that it give the illusion of connection. So we feel safe, but we remain alone inside our prison. Unconsciously we felt we were somehow broken, that we were different from others and not normal. Sex with ourselves or with others gave us the illusion of acceptance and thus the cure to our worthlessness. We needed a constant supply of sexual activity to stay cured. To lust is to live. Lust had become the most important thing in our lives. Some of us were willing to risk and lose everything to get and keep it. Only when we came face to face with the truth that lust was a liar did we become willing to let it go. Lust promises to connect us with others and make us whole. But it never does!

Our Hope
We have accepted that we cannot control our lustful thoughts and behaviors in our own strength. We have learned that through the power of Jesus Christ we can live sober lives, one minute at a time and one day at a time. If you identify with these issues, and if you are weary from your struggle, then we invite you to fellowship with us as we daily seek the Lord’s guidance on our journey of recovery from our hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Other Articles on Sexual Addiction

Sexual Addiction for Women

20 Questions About Sexual Addiction

Sexual Addicition for Men