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Sexual addiction is a progressive disorder that affects the individual suffering from the problem as well as loved ones, partners or others involved with the individual. The impact of sexual addiction on relationships can cause serious negative consequences for the individual including breakups, distressed marriages, betrayals, and intense regrets. Let’s take a closer look at five of the most common consequences of sexual addiction.
Broken Relationships

Sex addiction often leads to broken relationships.
Individuals addicted to sex often suffer from broken relationships or a distance that makes intimacy difficult at best. While they may be able to easily go out and take part in sexual relations with others, remaining close to the individual that he or she loves can be challenging. Many individuals who experience sexual addiction suffer from marital stress, intense anxiety, loneliness, and loss of self-esteem. One study even found that nearly three out of four people with sexual addiction had below-average self-esteem. The bottom line: Broken relationships are a very common outcome for those suffering from sexual addiction.
Adultery & Betrayal
It’s difficult for most partners in a relationship to accept that their loved one committed the ultimate betrayal. Unfortunately, for those addicted to sex, committing adultery or cheating on the spouse may become a way of life, and although the individual may or may not want to stop, he or she finds that the actions tend to occur over and over again. Betrayal breaks trust, makes it difficult to feel comfortable with the individual, and can ruin a relationship faster than just about anything.
Disease
As if discovering that there is betrayal in a relationship isn’t enough to cause serious problems, STDs like HIV, AIDS, HPV, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted illnesses can wreak havoc on a relationship. Contracting an STD and then accidentally passing the disease on to someone you love is a serious but completely possible outcome of sexually addictive behavior. For most partners, the fact that the spouse’s sexual betrayal resulted in disease transmission is almost impossible to overcome or to forgive.
Incarceration
Relationships struggle when two people are apart. It takes a very, very strong bond for a relationship to continue when there is great distance between two partners. Unfortunately, sexual addiction can lead to incarceration which can place a great deal of strain on an already strained relationship. People experiencing sexual addiction get arrested for sexually explicit behavior, acting out, being involved in prostitution, or otherwise having involvement in sexually explicit behaviors in public.
Failed Marriages
For a married couple, finding out that a spouse has cheated even once is hard. Many married couples who have a partner who is addicted to sex find that the betrayal runs much deeper. It is not uncommon for these individuals to have multiple partners or cases of cheating that occur. The impact that sexual addiction has on a marriage can be so devastating that the marriage will probably not last, at least not without counseling. For most married couples, sexual addiction is a disease that results in complete devastation.
Treatment for Sexual Addiction
Fortunately, help is available for anyone experiencing sexual addiction. Find a treatment provider near you to get the support you need – and prevent any further negative impact from sexual addiction.