Could Sex Addiction be Genetic?
Disclaimer: Though "sex addiction" is not an official diagnosis, the experience of having disruptive compulsions to engage in sexual behavior is real—similar to how people addicted to alcohol or drugs become reliant on those addictive behaviors. Whether sex can be considered an actual addiction or not is still an open discussion between experts.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀€𝘅 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. There are at least four “risk factors” which could make people more or less likely to develop it:
🧠 From a 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 point of view, both the amount of enjoyment produced by s€xual activity and the “ability to temper impulsive desires with rational thought” vary among brains; they’re all wired differently. However, let’s not forget that “normal human brain functioning and brain chemistry make people vulnerable to addiction,” since the brain naturally rewards you for engaging in feel-good behaviors.
🎭 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 has taught us that “people have varying skills and abilities to cope with unpleasant emotions or circumstances.” People with poor coping skills, high stress, and lack stress reduction skills are more vulnerable to addictions, as well as those suffering from disorders like depression or anxiety. In these cases, s€x can become a very attractive coping mechanism.
🏙 Our 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 and 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 can also determine our vulnerability towards addiction. “Researchers have learned that certain groups of people are more vulnerable to addiction than other[s].” This could be due to the level of freedom in such groups, internet availability, or even generational trauma. Groups who have been oppressed or colonized could be more vulnerable to addictions because they’re more likely to perceive the world as an unsafe place, presenting more challenges in terms of stress and coping skills.
🧿 Our 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 or 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 also play a role. “A disconnection from, or loss of, life's meaning and purpose contributes to the development and progression of addiction. This disconnection causes a failure to live in harmony with the universal laws or principles that we hold to be important.”
Learn more about sex addiction by watching our interview with
Licensed Psychologist and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Dr. Kate Balestrieri.
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