All addictions negatively impact a person's life.

Drugs and alcohol destroy the mind. Smoking destroys the body. Overeating undermines health.

Sexual addiction is different. Although there is a risk of disease, sex addiction does not directly destroy the body like drugs, alcohol, smoking or overeating. Nor does it have the direct effect on the mind that alcohol and drugs do.

Sexual addiction's main damage is done to one's ability to carry on an honest, committed, caring, intimate relationship.

To overcome a sexual addiction, the sexually addicted person needs to ask him/herself, "Do I want a real and loving relationship in my life?"

The desire to have a genuine intimate relationship is the most effective motivation there is to overcoming a sex addiction.

Unfortunately, motivation alone is not enough to overcome an addiction. But it is a good start. The more motivation a person has, the better their chances of overcoming their addiction. So let's look at other motivations:

Pleasure:

Sex is a profound pleasure. However, when a person is sexually addicted, sex becomes a compulsion that one must indulge like drugs, alcohol, smoking or overeating. Sex addicts, like other addicts, go through binges and feel terrible afterwards.

One of the great pleasures of overcoming a sexual addiction is being able to enjoy sex without the guilt that accompanies sexually addictive behavior

Freedom:

All addiction is a form of psychological slavery. No one made the addict a slave. The addict did it to him or herself. By the same token, it is the addict who frees him or herself. But until they are free, addicts don't know when their addiction will call and what they will do to satisfy it.

Overcoming a sexual addiction liberates a person from the beck and call of their compulsion and fills the person with a wonderful sense of freedom.

Positive Outlook:

To be addicted is to be out of control, which fills the addict's everyday life with anxiety and despair.

Most people who are addicted have no idea that much of the despair and anxiety they experience is caused by their addiction.

When they overcome their addiction they're amazed at how much better they feel about life's possibilities.

Self Respect:

Sex addiction takes a great toll on one's self-esteem. Being out of control causes the addict to lose confidence in him/herself. Cheating and deceiving to hide the addiction or engage in it result in self-disgust. Not being able to sustain a genuine loving relationship causes despair, loneliness, frustration, and self-alienation.

By overcoming a sexual addiction, the addicted person develops the confidence and self-respect every person needs in order to find happiness in life.