Do I consider myself a sexual addict? I suppose that depends on your definition. I recently looked this up on the SAA site and according to them, I probably have an issue because I can answer yes to one of these self assessment questions.

Answer these twelve questions to assess whether you may have a problem with sexual addiction.

1. Do you keep secrets about your sexual or romantic activities from those important to you? Do you lead a double life?
2. Have your needs driven you to have sex in places or situations or with people you would not normally choose?
3. Do you find yourself looking for sexually arousing articles or scenes in newspapers, magazines, or other media?
4. Do you find that romantic or sexual fantasies interfere with your relationships or are preventing you from facing problems?
5. Do you frequently want to get away from a sex partner after having sex? Do you frequently feel remorse, shame, or guilt after a sexual encounter?
6. Do you feel shame about your body or your sexuality, such that you avoid touching your body or engaging in sexual relationships? Do you fear that you have no sexual feelings, that you are asexual?
7. Does each new relationship continue to have the same destructive patterns which prompted you to leave the last relationship?
8. Is it taking more variety and frequency of sexual and romantic activities than previously to bring the same levels of excitement and relief?
9. Have you ever been arrested or are you in danger of being arrested because of your practices of voyeurism, exhibitionism, prostitution, sex with minors, indecent phone calls, etc.?
10. Does your pursuit of sex or romantic relationships interfere with your spiritual beliefs or development?
11. Do your sexual activities include the risk, threat, or reality of disease, pregnancy, coercion, or violence?
12. Has your sexual or romantic behavior ever left you feeling hopeless, alienated from others, or suicidal?

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, we would encourage you to seek out additional literature as a resource or to attend a Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting to further assess your needs.

How did you fair? I can answer yes to #3. So I be damned as a sex addict. Bar your doors and windows and lock away your spouses... don't think your safe either.

It's a tough one to be sure. I was recently having a conversation about this with some friends. I think one mentioned that perhaps a better term would be sexual compulsive. I liked that much better than addict. In my view sex releases natural endorphins and isn't at all like a usual addiction, such as alcohol, drugs, food... where the source of addiction is readily identifiable. Sex seems in some ways far less tangible.

For instance, suppose your addiction is voyeurism or watching? You would receive sexual gratification from it, yet it's not something you can easily remove, like say you could a pack of cigarettes.

Also they don't have sexual sobriety... it call it abstinence. Which they don't wish to have confused with celibacy. You can have sex, however, it needs to be with the right person... i.e. spouse, S/O.

The line? Is self control.

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