Sex Addiction Recovery
Residents seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviors participate in the full trauma
resolution program. The Life Healing Center's treatment program recognizes that sexual recovery
is a vital part of healing the wounds of trauma. Regardless of the source of injury: emotional,
physical, sexual abuse or neglect, trauma inevitably affects the body. The body becomes
objectified: a degree of inner distance or dissociation direly needed during the trauma remains
long after the perceived threat has passed. As adults we often unwittingly engage in behaviors
that cause this kernel of inner disconnection to grow, creating a cycle of increased self-
alienation.
Present day sexual behaviors, at times, are mirrors of such a self-alienating process. A person can feel compelled to engage in a host of sexual behaviors. Obsessions with sexual images, compulsions to masturbate or to engage in sex with numerous partners or to avoid physical intimacy may be expressions of an underlying trauma. One's sexual life becomes characterized by a sense of urgency. Freedom of choice is replaced by a chronic sense of shame or obligation. Without intervention, these patterned responses tend to feed upon themselves, gaining more and more control of someone's life. Fortunately, there is hope for sexual recovery. Beneath this destructive cycle is the valiant attempt to heal. The self-alienating behaviors are misguided attempts to re-engage the original injury, the underlying pain.
The staff at The Life Healing Center is expert at helping people identify their current treatment needs. Recovery involves two phases. Phase one is the elimination or reduction of the patterned, compulsive sexual behavior. At times this can be achieved by a heightened inner awareness of the destructiveness of the actions. Typically an elevated degree of external support including a more controlled external environment, a structured program, e.g. a 12 Step program, and positive peer influence is needed. The second phase of recovery involves addressing the underlying pain that fuels the addictive process. This phase requires a foundation of abstinence from the undesired sexual behaviors.
At The Life Healing Center, we specialize in the second phase of recovery. The residential setting and the community-based treatment program require a base of self-control over the compulsion. The treatment program teaches the person how to identify the internal plea for help beneath the sexual addiction. The power of the compulsion is systematically broken by helping residents find more adaptive ways to access and to release the upsurges of pain, terror or rage that have been haunting them. The process of internal alienation is replaced by self-nurturance, and by the ability to engage in intimate relationships.
The Treatment Program
In addition to participating in the full trauma resolution program, residents with compulsive sexual behaviors meet twice each week in a gender-specific Sexual Dependency Recovery Group led by our specialists in this area. Residents also participate in Men's or Women's Groups, as well as Relationship Recovery Groups. Throughout these groups and in individual therapy, major focuses are: reconnecting with one's body, building healthy relationships, and addressing the addictive process.
