Sexual Orientation: Not a Factor in Sex and Porn Addiction

If Harry Potter has taught us anything, it’s that no one should live in a closet.

Sexual addiction/compulsion has nothing to do with who or what someone is sexually attracted to. Instead, like all other forms of addiction, it is based on three factors:

1. Persistent obsession/addiction to chosen drug/behavior
2. Loss of control over usage
3. Directly related negative life consequences

This means that gay and bisexual sex and pornography addicts do not engage in compulsive sexual behaviors because of their sexual orientation. Rather, they engage in compulsive sexual behaviors to self-soothe from stress, emotional discomfort, and pain from underlying psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, shame, attachment deficits, unresolved childhood issues, and/or severe adult life trauma. In this respect, gay and bisexual sex and pornography addicts are exactly the same as heterosexual sex and pornography addicts.

Today’s Task
Look for similarities between yourself and other recovering addicts, not differences.