How To Find An Effective Sex Addiction Treatment That Lasts

If you suspect a partner, loved one, or yourself may be a sex addict, getting diagnosed properly and coming up with an effective treatment plan is critical. Treatment for sex addiction includes a few main focus points — helping the addict differentiate the difference between healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors, and helping the addict deal with the guilt, shame, and depression cycle that frequently accompanies their addiction.

Having a partner or yourself being diagnosed as a sex addict can be a difficult time, plus confusing as to what the next steps may be. I hope to provide you with an overview of what a sex addiction treatment plan may look like, but of course, this overview can’t replace the recommendations from a licensed professional.

I’ve provided some steps below but by no means are those the only route to sexual sobriety. Each therapist has his/her own treatment plan preferences and style, and it is important to remember that sex addiction treatment can be a long road and to manage expectations accordingly.

Sex Addiction Treatment

Below is a general overview of what a basic sex addiction treatment plan may look like.

Step One: Find a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT)

The first step is to seek out the help of a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). They are qualified to assess and diagnose someone with sex addiction and come up with an effective plan for treatment. Browse our counselor directory to find the right qualified therapist for you.

Step Two: Set Up an Initial Consultation

During an initial consultation, a therapist will get a complete history from you and will more than likely recommend the Sexual Dependency Inventory (SDI).

A Sexual Dependency Inventory (SDI) is a popular, comprehensive test that is used to help make a sex addiction diagnosis and is only accessible by a CSAT to administer. Other diagnostic tests may be warranted or used as well.

Step Three: Follow Up on Recommendations by Your Therapist

More than likely, your therapist will make recommendations for a follow-up appointment to go over your SDI or other test results. If a sex addiction diagnosis is made, your counselor will make other recommendations such as weekly counseling, finding a sex addiction support group, and/or 12-step groups.

Depending on your SDI results, there may be books and other materials that your therapist will recommend.

If you are married, recommendations for marriage counseling and individual counseling for the affected partner may be warranted as well.

In some situations, a client may be referred for an evaluation for an inpatient setting so again, managing your expectations and being patient with the process is important.

The road to sexual sobriety is long and challenging and is difficult to navigate. Sexual sobriety does not happen overnight, so be sure to follow through on all the recommendations from your therapist. By doing so, you will have an effective sex addiction treatment that lasts.