Sexual addiction can lead to feelings of shame in the people who are afflicted with this issue. You may feel like you harmed or hurt others with your addiction. While you cannot deny that you may have hurt people or use your addiction as an excuse, you can recover from your sexual addiction. Remember that you are a person with a condition, which can be treated. While you cannot change your past, you can change your future and attempt to make amends for past behaviors. You may have to accept that you have made mistakes in the past and process your guilt during recovery. However, you need to remember that you are not a bad person; you have a treatable condition. You are not destined to continue on this negative path and can recover from your addiction.
Sexual addictions can be similar in nature to addictions to substances or alcohol. Essentially, your brain has found a way of coping with stress or other negative emotions. When engaging in sexual activity, your brain releases “feel-good” chemicals that can be quite powerful. If you have equated these feelings with dealing with stress or using them to escape bad feelings, then you may be addicted to sexual behaviors. You can recover and learn ways to cope with stress or other issues that are not harmful to yourself or others. You can re-learn how to enjoy sexual activity as a part of a fulfilling relationship and not a means of getting a “high.” You do not need to be weighed down from the shame of your past. Hope is possible for those suffering from sexual addiction.
Sexual addiction can be difficult to recover from due to some of the shame and stigma surrounding this affliction. You may be holding onto guilt for hurting or harming others in the past. You may feel like you do not deserve treatment or recovery. You may continue to beat yourself up over your past and never seek treatment. Hope is possible and you do deserve a chance at a healthy life. You cannot change what has happened in the past; however, you can change your behavior moving forward. Treatment of sexual addiction is possible and you can learn newer ways of coping with stress to lead a better life. You may need to accept your past and make amends for your past if possible. However, you do not need to view yourself as a flawed or bad person. You can be treated and The Guest House can help. We believe that everyone deserves a life free of addiction, whether from drugs and alcohol or other addictions, like sex or eating disorders. Call us today at (855) 483-7800.