3 Jobs Commonly Linked to Sex Addiction

Millions of Americans experience a compulsive need for sexual activity, commonly referred to as sex addiction. This disorder may manifest itself in a number of ways, including the following:

• Compulsive, frequent masturbation
• Frequent use of pornography
• Extramarital affairs
• Prostitution
• Sexual encounters with strangers
• An inability to control sexual thoughts or fixations

If left untreated, this compulsive need for sexual arousal and satisfaction can result in physical injury, disease, damage to relationships, criminal prosecution and death. Certain lifestyles and careers may place an individual at an increased risk of developing a sex addiction.

Risk Factors for Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is most common among men. Certain other risk factors can increase the likelihood that someone may develop this disorder, including the following:

• Exposure to sexually explicit material at a young age
• Sexual activity at a young age
• Early access to pornography
• Social acceptance of sexually explicit materials or conversation
• Anxiety disorders or other psychological conditions
• Loneliness
• Depression
• Self-esteem deficiencies
• Childhood abandonment or neglect

Initially, sexual activity can lead to feelings of relaxation, contentment and calm. This is due to the release of certain brain chemicals that result in a comforting effect. Over time, however, a tolerance may build and the individual needs increasing quantities of sex or increasingly intense sexual experiences in order to achieve the desired effect.

Jobs and Careers Associated with Sex Addiction

Although people from all careers can be affected by this disorder, certain types of jobs are more commonly associated with sex addiction, including the following:

• Computer-based jobs – Internet pornography has become a problem for millions of people over the last two decades. Daily access to internet pornography can affect many computer-based jobs including programmers, designers, web developers, online salespeople, researchers and investors.
• Traveling jobs – People such as truckers, touring artists and traveling salespeople are often removed from close friendships and relationships and may experience intense loneliness on the road. Hotel room pornography, prostitutes and strip clubs are commonly associated with those who spend their careers away from home.
• Leadership jobs – People such as politicians, celebrities and ministry leaders are often removed from normal relational contact. These leaders may experience loneliness while in the midst of a crowd. The combination of their insecurities, sense of entitlement, lack of accountability and access to willing sexual partners can put this group of people at constant risk for developing sex addiction.

Treatment for Sex Addiction

If you have realized that your need for sexual satisfaction has become constant and unrelenting, you may have developed a sex addiction. Although there may be no physical withdrawal when a sex addict ends his destructive behavior, the withdrawal symptoms can be psychological or emotional and may include the following:

• Persistent anxiety
• Emotional outbursts or abuse
• Obsession
• Depression

Treatment for sex addiction is often similar to alcohol or drug treatment. It may include a combination of personal and group counseling along with education and skill development that can help the addict to reprogram his brain to function normally. In time, sex addiction patients can regain control of their sexual behavior.

Finding Help for Sex Addiction

If you or someone you love may be struggling with sex addiction, please call our toll-free helpline now. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions about sex addiction and jobs that are commonly linked to the disorder. Please call now.