#33 Flow, finding space

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#33 Flow, finding space

23 February, 2019Podcasts, News

“The last great attempt to free consciousness from the dominion of the impulses and social controls, was psychoanalysis; as Freud pointed out, the two tyrants who fought each other for control of the mind were the Id and the Superego, the first a servant of the genes, the second a lackey of society – both representing the “Other”. Opposing them was the Ego, which stood for the genuine needs of the self connected to its concrete environment” – Flow : The Psychology of Happiness” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

What must i do?

The process of recovery is a lifelong commitment. There will be times where we will feel overwhelmed by our circumstances. Sometimes these challenges will come from within ourselves. How do we get ourselves to a place, mentally, where we are able to push through and overcome the challenges with which we are faced. How do we manage mental and emotional fatigue ? Merely using positive self-talk is not going to be sufficient – we have to know that we can get through. We have to build mental strength. How do athletes build this mental strength ? How have people with multiple years of clean or sober time managed successfully ?

“Control of consciousness determines the quality of life.” Flow : The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

“If you are interested in something, you will focus on it, and if you focus attention on anything, it is likely that you will become interested in it. Many of the things we find interesting are not so by nature, but because we took the trouble of paying attention to them.” Finding Flow : The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed the discussion.

This podcast was recorded as a series of lectures given to people in 12 step addiction recovery treatment. The purpose of these talks was to teach and motivate individuals to search for their own spiritual solution to their addiction.

Please feel free to contact me directly or go to our site for more information:

dominic@crrc.co.za

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

+27 012 345 1186 Pretoria

+27 010 597 7784 Johannesburg

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043

Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311

Stories of Recovery

The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
Oliver VG
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On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
Johan B
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I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
Carla S
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"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Angelique J
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Approved Medical Aids

Definition of Sex Addiction

Sex and porn addiction can refer to a range of behaviours that are done in excess and significantly impact one’s life in a negative way.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-5) does not list sex addiction as a diagnosable condition yet, but research indicates that there is a clear prevalence of adverse sexual behaviour that is similar in development to a “chemical” addiction.

Is Porn Addiction the Same as Sex Addiction?

Porn addiction and sex addiction are not the same disorder. Addiction to porn is considered to be a type of sex addiction and can manifest itself differently than other types of sex addiction. Like “sex addiction,” “porn addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 yet. However, an addiction to porn can lead to serious distress and consequences in many facets of life.

What Are the Different Types of Sexual Addictions?

There are no distinct categories, but sexual addictions can come in different forms, including addiction to:

Pornography.
Prostitution.
Masturbation or fantasy.
Sadistic or masochistic behavior.
Exhibition/Voyeurism.
Other excessive sexual pursuits.

What are the Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of a Sexual Addiction?

Several signs can serve to indicate whether someone is addicted to sex. These can be emotional or physical. Furthermore, it’s important to know the debilitating effects of sexual addiction.

Emotional Symptoms of Sex Addiction

If you or someone you love suffers from a sex addiction, you might not have healthy boundaries. If your husband is addicted to porn or sex, you may feel alienated, isolated, depressed, angry, or humiliated and need treatment yourself. If you are addicted to sex, you might become easily involved with people sexually or emotionally regardless of how well you know them, according to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. Because most sex addicts fear being abandoned, they might stay in relationships that aren’t healthy, or they may jump from relationship to relationship. When alone, they might feel empty or incomplete. They might also sexualize feelings like guilt, loneliness or fear.

Physical Symptoms of Sex Addiction

Although a sex addiction or pornography addiction can create many physical side effects, few physical symptoms of this disorder exist. However, the most common physical sex addict symptoms you might notice from having a sexual addiction is feeling immobilized due to sexual or emotional obsessions.

Effects of Sex Addiction

The effects of a sex addiction can be severe.

According to Departmental Management of the USDA, about 38% of men and 45% of women with sex addictions have a venereal disease as a result of their behaviour.

Pregnancy is also a common side effect that can occur due to risky behaviour. In one survey, nearly 70% of women with sex addictions reported they’d experienced at least one unwanted pregnancy as a result of their addiction.

Additionally, sex addiction likely has a negative impact on several areas of one’s life. It can lead to:

A decline in personal relationships, social, and family engagement.
Decreased concentration and productivity at work.
Physical consequences like sexual dysfunction or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

It can have profound psychological effects, like generating feelings of shame, inadequacy, and emotional distress. It can lead to, or stem from, comorbid psychological disorders like:

Anxiety.
Depression.
Substance abuse.
Problems related to impulse control and emotion dysregulation.
Obsessive-Compulsive type symptoms.

It is important to know that addressing co-occurring problems in one’s life, like depression, social anxiety, or social isolation, can make it easier to recover from sexual addiction.

Am I Addicted to Sex?

It is best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation of your sex addiction; however, you may also want to look out for the following signs:

You feel powerless over how you act sexually.
Your sexual choices are making your life unmanageable.
You feel shame, embarrassment or even self-loathing over your sexual acts.
You promise yourself you’ll change, but fail to keep those promises.
You’re so preoccupied with sex it becomes like a ritual to you.

If you’re exhibiting any of these symptoms, it might be time to seek sex addiction treatment. If you also have a co-occurring substance addiction (e.g., alcohol, cocaine), call to learn more about treatment options.