Sensual addiction - Can One Ever Have Too Much Coupling?
Many people enjoy healthy,
active intimate relationships which are mutually satisfying to both parties.
However, even if both individuals are invested in the relationship, there are
certainly nights when one partner shows more interest in having relations than
the other, and that is perfectly normal. It only verges on the abnormal if one
person persistently fails to be satiated by an active intimate relationship or
begins pressuring their partner for certain sensual acts that he or she is not
comfortable with; in this case, the possibility of a sensual addiction may be
explored. Regardless of the
extent of one’s sensual activity, it is important to engage in proper male organ care and always practice safe coupling.
Is sensual addiction
a real thing?
Sensual addiction has been a
relatively hot topic in the media, with prominent celebrities, politicians and
sports figures publicly announcing their addiction and seeking rehab. While naysayers may believe the
umbrella of sensual addiction is just a “get out of jail free card” for bad
behavior, many psychologists and psychotherapists believe sensual addiction
does exist and is treatable.
Simply put, sensual
addiction occurs when one is overcome with thoughts and behaviors about sensual
activity that are out of one’s ability to control. Just like other addictions, sensual
addiction occurs when the pleasure centers in the brain fail to send the brain
a message of satisfaction. Thus,
an individual may continuously pursue sensual pleasure to excess, as the brain
does not ever feel they have had enough.
If a person likes
intimacy, does that make them an addict?
Plenty of people enjoy
intimacy, food or alcohol without reaching the level of addiction. The clinical definition of addiction
encompasses behavior that interferes with other aspects of daily living. For
instance, if an individual cannot hold down a job because they are perpetually
surfing the Internet for adult materials they may have reached the level of
addiction, as it is clearly interfering with their overall functioning. Or, if a string of failed
relationships have directly resulted from sensual pursuits outside of the
relationship, one may have a problem. Additionally, if a person has made
unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop certain sensual pursuits altogether –
especially when it is causing harm to some area of their life – they may need to
seek treatment for this maladaptive behavior.
Are there different
types of sensual addiction?
While all addictions –
sensual or otherwise – play on the same circuitry in the brain, there are
certain types of sensual urges that are more likely to lead to compulsive,
uncontrolled behavior. Often,
but not always, sensual addiction revolves around dangerous, risky behaviors
that seem more exciting to the individual engaging in them. Examples of risky sensual behavior
include: voyeurism (watching strangers without their knowledge, often while
self-pleasuring), frotteurism (rubbing one’s privates against an non-consenting
stranger for pleasure), visiting prostitutes, engaging in unprotected relations
– often with multiple partners in the same night, extramarital affairs,
exhibitionism (flashing one’s privates in public), self-stimulation in public,
excessive use of adult materials, chat rooms or phone coupling. Individuals who engage in these types
of behavior get a “rush” from the danger of the activities, which is enjoyable
and therefore leads to repeating the actions over and over again.
Can sensual addiction
be treated?
There are numerous options
for individuals who feel they need help with sensual addiction. Many inpatient treatment facilities
are available; while in treatment, patients participate in individual and group
therapy. They may receive medication management and learn coping skills to deal
with their addiction. Less
severe individuals may find success working with a therapist in an outpatient
setting. There are also
numerous free support groups and 12-step programs.
Sensual health care
All sensually active men –
whether they suffer from addiction or not – need to engage in daily male organ
care in order to maintain their sensual health. Barrier protection should be used with
all sensual encounters to prevent the transmission of diseases. Additionally, a male
organ health cream may be
applied daily (most
professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). A male organ cream that specially
formulated with vitamins and minerals can help prevent cracked male organ skin,
improve circulation to the area and enhance sensitivity.
For additional
information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving male
organ sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy male organ, visit: http://www.menshealthfirst.com. John
Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men’s health issues and is an
ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.