The obsessive and/or compulsive episodes of acting out provide justification for the metaphor of how sex is used as a drug and why sex addiction is defined as a serious health disorder.

Sex has become a narcissistic pursuit. This condition represents a preoccupation to control people, places or things. This selfish pursuit can become repetitive and irrational, culminating in uncontrollable sexual desires that are totally self-gratifying and egocentric.  Using a person or object in such a way represents a narcissistic sexual condition.

What is ironic and devastating about sexual addiction is the self deception people experience. As their lives spiral out of control they are blind to the fact that outside help is needed. Breaking the silence of their secret life, facing the shame and accountability requires many to hit rock bottom before admission is made. This is a very difficult and demanding place to be in. Using sex as a drug provides the user a form of escapism or avoidance from life’s pressures or pain. It requires steadfast resolve and stubborn determination to overcome.

Alcoholism and other addictive disorders have similarities with the nature of sexual addiction even though this is not widely understood.