Texas residents guilty of sex offenses face harsh punishments. Time in prison, job loss, fines and sex offender registration are possible consequences. But why would anyone feel compelled to commit a sexual crime? Some people raise the possibility of sex addiction or hypersexuality possibly playing a role in some sex offenses.
It’s important to note that a person who claims to have sex addiction isn’t necessarily a sex offender. There have been cases where sex addiction was used as a legal defense. However, that doesn’t mean sex addiction always results in sex offenses.
Sex addiction and hypersexuality
Sex addiction refers to uncontrollable sexual thoughts, behaviors, desires and urges that negatively affect a person’s life. The term hypersexuality is sometimes also used to describe sex addiction. People who claim sex addiction compare it to being addicted to drugs or alcohol.
However, there is some doubt about the validity of sex addiction or hypersexuality. There’s no medical community or scientific organization that recognizes sex addiction. Some people believe it’s just an attempt to justify sexual behavior.
The argument for the existence of sex addiction
People who support the idea of being addicted to sex argue that it’s a physiological or psychological process. And that for a sex addict, sex activates the same part of the brain as drug addiction. It’s noted that people who claim to have this addiction often develop other addictions in an attempt to self-medicate.
The argument against sex addiction
People against the idea of sex addiction argue there’s no proof to support sex as an addiction. And that this type of sexual activity isn’t caused by addiction at all. Instead, the behavior is a symptom of another disorder. Such as often exhibited by the sexual activity of some people with conditions such as bipolar disorder.
The debate continues
The debate about the validity of sex addiction or hypersexuality continues. Media and popular culture tend to recognize that sex can become an addiction. However, those in science and medicine aren’t convinced.
