Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) can be as destructive and as devastating as any substance addiction, yet the shame and fear of being stigmatized often prevent those affected from seeking help.

Compulsive sexual behaviour can involve repeatedly developing and maintaining harmful sexual relationships, being deceptive with sexual partners, engaging in unsafe sexual encounters, or compulsively consuming pornography. As with substance addiction, this behaviour is sometimes driven by a need to alleviate feelings of emptiness, loneliness, or abandonment. These behaviours have compulsive elements and are difficult for the person to stop. As a person develops a compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) the warning signs common to all addictions begin to show themselves: avoiding responsibilities, detaching from and hurting those closest to them, and putting themselves in dangerous situations.

Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is frequently accompanied by concurrent substance addiction. Programs should be designed so that a patient can work on overcoming both a substance addiction and a CSBD at the same time.  A CSBD program should have a team of Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) providing support and guidance as patients work towards recovery.

Inpatient treatment programs

Due to the specialized nature of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) programs, patients will spend much of their clinical time in small, tight-knit groups with people who share similar experiences and emotions. Treatment programs should help patients achieve the following:

  • Identify harmful sexual behaviours and harmful relationship behaviors related to sex;
  • Learn approaches to having satisfying sexual interactions and relationships in ways that do not harm or endanger themselves or others;
  • Create a relapse prevention plan, based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) skills;
  • Uses Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to learn emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and develop mindfulness skills;
  • Explore core trauma issues

Outpatient treatment programs

Outpatient programs are a less-intensive alternative to inpatient programs. They should help patients achieve the following:

  • Identify harmful sexual behaviours and harmful relationship behaviors related to sex;
  • Learn approaches to having satisfying sexual interactions and relationships in ways that do not harm or endanger themselves or others;
  • Identify their core beliefs that contributed to the development of the disorder, how these beliefs still perpetuate the disorder, and ways to defuse their power.
  • Learn strategies to help resist urges, fantasies, and thoughts related to behaving in harmful or dangerous ways;
  • Identify relapse triggers and warning signs.