What is Sex Addiction for Christians

1. WhatisSexAddictionforChristians? The Bible doesn’t directly address sex addiction for Christians. It doesn’t specifically say anything about the addiction by name. But the Bible says God wants people to be happy and fulfilled in their relationships with others (1 Peter 1:7). It also says people should live in a way that doesn’t bring harm to themselves or others (Romans 14:19). Both passages suggest that sexaddiction is wrong forChristians and something theyshould seek to healand recover from. HowSexAddictionStarts Sex addiction is the compulsive need to have sex or sexual pleasure at any cost, at any time, regardless of consequences. It includes behaviors like infidelity and engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. People often recognize they have a sex addiction when they attempt to stop these behaviorsbut can’t. “Sex addiction comes from a need to regulate an unregulated nervous system, which probably resultsfrom a traumatic experience when they wereyoung,” said Matt Wenger, Clinical Director atBoulder Recovery. Sex addiction can start with unresolved trauma, including sexual trauma or childhood sexual abuse.The person affected by this trauma may use sexto deal with the pain from their past. If a person does not receive treatment for their trauma, they may develop an intimacy disorder or other mental health issues. These issues can make it difficult for them to form healthy relationshipswith others. Boulder Recovery attempts to help men understand the root cause of their sex addiction so they canbegin to heal.

2. “We help people understand why they act the way they act — where that behavior originates. It helps them get in touch with the wounds and the trauma that precipitated the addiction. We identifyand treat core traumaticwounds that are mostclosely tied to theirbehaviors,” Matt said • OvercomingSexAddictionforChristians • It can be difficult to admit that you might have a problemwith sex. It may be even more challenging if you’re a Christian because of misconceptions surrounding addiction. For example, Christians may pray for their addictions to just end when they need help from a mental health professionalto heal. • Sex addiction is a realdisorder, and it’s not somethingto be overcome byjust saying “no” or prayingharder. Even though sex addiction affects Christians and people of other faiths and beliefs,there is hope for recovery if you’recommitted to getting better. • “The outcomes depend on what you want when you come in,” Matt said of treatment. “You’re going to get out of it exactlywhat you want at your core toget out of it. If you wantto go deep and discover new places in yourself, who you are, and your future… that’s what you’ll get out of it.” • Treatment for sex addiction for Christians helps men restore their faith, uncover the root cause oftheir addiction, heal from thattrauma, and change their behaviors. • “We identify the root traumas and teach tools and skills that you can couple with that to make better decisions instead of just looking at symptoms,” Matt stated. “You have a neurological problem; you don’t have a character flaw.Your brain is sick.This helps us get closer to the why.” • Stepson YourPathtoRecovery • Recovering from sex addiction is challenging. It requires help, support, and hard work. It also requiresyou to admit you have aproblem and commit to changing. • Stepstoaddictionrecoveryinclude: • Seeking Treatment. Sex addiction is a symptom of a deeper issue and is unlikely to go away on it’s own. It’s important to address the underlying cause with help from a mental healthprofessional. • Finding a Support System. One of the most important things you can do as you overcome sex addiction is to find a support system. This support can be friends or family members,your church community, or a support group. Having people to talk to about youraddictionwillhelpyoukeeptrackofyourprogressandensureyou’renotgivingin totemptation.

3. Setting Goals to Maintain Sobriety. Set realistic goals. Select your priorities and aim to dedicatemore time to them.Use your support systemto hold you accountable. • Establishing Clear Boundaries. Decide what your boundaries will be and how you will enforcethem. Review yourvalues and goals asa Christian, and listthings that are • off-limits oressentialforyourrecovery. • IsSexAddictionaReasonforChristianstoDivorce? • Whether sex addiction results in divorce is an issuefor the couple to decide together. Some marriageschallenged by addiction endin divorce. Others don’t. • For a partner, sex addiction can lead to betrayal trauma. This trauma is when a person significantly violates another’s trust or well-being. As the person heals from sex addiction, their partnerhas to be willing to focus onhealing from betrayal. • Healingfrombetrayaltraumarequires: • Acknowledging the Betrayal. Both partners must recognize that the issue exists and how it’saffecting them individually and within their relationship. • Prioritizing Yourself. While each partner is healing, they must prioritize their recovery. Neitherpartner can give fully tothe other without healing first. • Practicing Forgiveness. A marriage can’t heal after a sex addiction without forgiveness. A partner has to be able to forgive their spouse for the marriage to have a future. • Women should puttheir healing firstbefore reconciling orfixing their marriages,Matt said. • “They haveto givethemselvestime tohealfrom theshockof theirpartner’s infidelity,”Mattsaid. “We want to see marriages healed, but this can happen only when the addict takes concrete stepstoward sobriety and betrayed partnersbegin their journey ofhealing.” • SeekingHelpatBoulderRecovery • Sex addiction can shatter lives and relationships. It challenges Christians’ faith in God and belief inthemselves as good, faithful people. • Boulder Recovery’s missionis simple: to help people recover from their addictions and live healthier lives. Our therapists know how important it is for each person to find their path toward recovery. • Contactustolearnmoreandstartrestoringyourfaith,life,andrelationships. Source:https://beginagaininstitute.com/christian/what-is-sex-addiction-for-christians/