Episode 18: Part 2/2. See the commonalities in treatment approach to all things sexual, including mainstream and Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (C.A.M.). Part 1 in this series is here.
What do these 4 have in common? Persistent Genital Arousal Syndrome, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Sex & Love Addiction
Whether you never want to have sex at all, have unwanted orgasms, pain during orgasm or sex addiction, most of these start under similar conditions. There is typically some combination of unhealthy male:female energy and sexual trauma during development, linking the two. They are actually separate things as previously discussed in Episode 17 and can be separated with a Mindshift. If that sounds like you, book an ancient male:female healing, read a couple of books, and visit a support groups to overcome anything and set any goal. If I can help, don't hesitate to contact me.
https://vimeo.com/1130421270?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
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Keep in mind, the male brain doesn't fully develop until age 33 and the female brain at age 25. Therefore, your sexual development is technically still continuing until the brain is fully mature. Of course, the younger you are when you have trauma, Adverse Childhood Event (ACE), the more the subconscious absorbed all of that energy and is carrying it forward. Fortunately, the brain can be rewired and you can learn to do it yourself. That is what a customized Mindshift Plan is all about.
Sex and Love Addiction
Yes, Sex and Love Addiction are two different things that often run together. For that reason there are separate 12-Step fellowships for each one: Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. I recommend reading the small text book for the one that fits best first. Contacting local meetings isn't highly publicized due to the anonymity, so you'll first have to actually call or email the local contact to explain you're interested in a meeting and you're not from the media.
What get's missed often times is the Love Addiction. This is an addiction to intrigue, that exciting feeling you get when you first make eye with someone or think early-on in relationships that it's a fairy tale romance. Romance and the pursuit of the "new and exciting" creates the same chemical addiction to dopamine in the brain as crack cocaine, and plenty of adrenaline flows during flirtation. The body gets excited at merely the thought of the future with someone still unknown.
By way of disclosure, I got clean and sober at the age of 19 myself and was exposed to 12 Steps and fellowship throughout my younger years. My training helped validate what I already knew, that the 12 Steps are still the #1 most effective approach to addiction - but our culture attacks humility, which is direly needed in recovery. For some, the strings of conformity are just too strong to muster the courage to heal and change yourself, darkening the doorway to a sexual support group and availing yourself freely of the help as if your life depends on it. You can change.
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Love-Recovery-Addiction/dp/0553351389/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&sr=1-1
Mainstream Treatment for Sexual Addiction
Psychotherapy is always recommended because it had yielded amazing results in so many. Intensive Outpatient Programs are helpful for long-term lifestyle change. Mainstream treatment for sexual addiction is sparse, but making an appointment for symptomatic control and general mental health in early recovery can still be very grounding. Mood stabilizers sometimes help with impulsive decisions and mood swings that predispose addicts toward an impulsive relapse. I've seen naltrexone help with cravings for alcohol, gambling, opioid addiction, and unhealthy sexual impulses .
Smart Recovery
Nowadays, there are two other fellowship options besides the hundreds of 12 Step groups for various addictions: Smart Recovery and Celebrate Reco...