I have spent far too much time reading abstracts and full articles on the Mesolimbic Dopamine System and brain reward systems as it relates to addiction. I find the subject fascinating, but I am not writing a book on Sexual Addiction–there are more than enough of those; my focus is on helping you and me to find ways to cope and survive living with or loving a Sex Addict. But the research is interesting and some of you have expressed a desire for more information, so here is some of what I have found.
Most trials and theories deal with chemical addictions, but I did find one clinical trial that is going on right now that is a double blind study of the effects on obese patients of Naltrexone SR (a narcotic antagonist) and Bupropion SR (an antidepressant better known as Wellbutrin that blocks dopamine uptake, it’s also used for quitting smoking). What makes this study unique is that a narcotic antagonist is being tested on patients who have an overeating problem rather than a chemical dependency. You can access information on the study here:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00711477
I am firmly convinced that Sexual Addiction involves many complex factors including brain chemistry. My husband was only able to maintain sobriety after intense counseling both for his Sex Addiction and his childhood issues, after taking medication for depression (Bupropion) AND after a four month regime of Chantix to stop smoking.
Chantix blocks the nicotine receptors in the brain, thus decreasing the craving. My husband claims that during that time he also lost all desire to act out. Now, this may be just a coincidence, but…maybe not. Chantix has many serious side effects and is certainly not approved as a treatment for Sex Addiction, but I am hopeful that there is some other drug out there that may help in the recovery process and studies like the one mentioned above indicate an interest in non chemical addictions.
Here are some other links that you may find interesting.
A Mayo Clinic Study:
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/83/2/226.full
And an interesting, and unapproved use for the anti seizure medication Topiramate (Topamax)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479803/
If you would like to delve farther into the research simply google ‘mesolimbic reward center addiction’ and you will get mind-numbing amounts of data.
I would like to know if anyone else has seen positive results in the recovery process of a Sex Addict who is taking antidepressants.
“If it wasn’t for denial my life would be shit”. ~ Anonymous
I didn’t used to be anti-porn Flora because I assumed it was a particular way, and harmless. I see it’s nothing like that any more. Like addiction, it has escalated until it’s the thing it is now: utterly degrading and objectifying. Women as tools whose personhood has been taken away. Taping women who are unaware, that’s appalling. The whole age thing worries the heck out of me. That’s the terrible thing about addiction … that it can escalate into something criminal, quite apart from the damage it’s doing to men’s feelings about women.
T,
I have ran into what my SA has viewed time to time and it for the most part is awfull. One of the things my SA liked was the voyer sites, have not seen a site, but can imagine what it is. We had a conversation a while back about what aspect of porn is wrong for him? his only answer was if the women or girls were underage. And I asked how do you know? He said he can just tell, which is BS. And we know that many are probably underage, because when they get older, I am sure they lose there appeal to these men. Also in the case of the voyer sites, I imagine that many of these women do not know they are being taped and the vidoe is posted online. These are the perverts who are installing web cames in hotel rooms and apartment buildings, and then posting on line. All of it is insulting to women, and makes us out to be just body parts, no brain, emotion or feelings. Just a tool.
Also tip for people who think they have stopped their husband with filters. There are ways around it. My SA found search engines which allowed him to see a little 3×5 photo of the website without even accessing it. And when they hold the cursor over that picture it enlarges it. Not sure if net nanny blocks this, but my tracking software that takes a snap shot of the screen every 15 seconds caught this, as well as the DVD’s he played on the computer. There really is no stopping these guys, they will find a way around whatever wall you build.
And our poor sons too of course, if this gets hold of them.
I googled one of the porn sites, out of curiosity. I’m absolutely horrified at what’s out there these days. No wonder men who’ve looked at this stuff since puberty have a warped view of women. Our poor daughters. It explains where society’s misogny (far worse now than when I was a young woman) comes from.
HI Nank,
I’m really sorry that you’ve landed in this place with the rest of us. And yes, I think your guy is a SA. It looks like you have some thinking to do about what is most important to you. He is clearly not interested in admitting anything never mind recovery. It sounds like “being taken care of” is something you need in your life—is this because of the carpal tunnel? Will it drive you crazy to live this way. I suspect it will eventually. But use this time to get some counselling support. Explore your financial future. Maybe he will trade a good financial settlement for your keeping his secret. It sounds grim, but hey, if that’s what you have to do, you do it.
And listen, carpal tunnel or no carpal tunnel—nobodies hands are strong enough to get these guys off. That’s why they do it themselves or hire professionals. Sorry, but that’s just the truth. As the addiction escalates what the SA needs to become aroused gets more and more extreme. So please don’t beat yourself up. It’s not about you or how you look or whether you are a good lover. Nothing you do or don’t do changes the addiction. You are responsible for your own healing—but not his.
Stick around Nank, and read the stories and find your way through the learning curve. Again, I’m really sorry because we all know how crappy it feels. Thank you for reaching out, though, because we want you to have some support and safe place to ask your questions and tell your story.
Lots of light and you find your way,
D.
I believe I just married a sex addict. I saw that he visits sex cam websites on his computer. He tells me he can’t sleep at night but I believe he is online with other women. He says he has places to go and then disappears for a couple of hours, when I call he does not pick up right away but call back several minutes later. He has told me that I need to make friends to chit chat with instead of calling him…he makes me feel that he doesn’t want to be interrupted when he is out.
Also he does not desire me sexually and we’ve only been married for a month. If I tell him how I feel he gets angry and says I make things up and that I’m paranoid, this turns into a big fight.
On the other hand he is good about all other areas of our marriage, he is very responsible, a good provider, he cooks, cleans and takes care of of all my needs except, sex.
I am 57 yrs old and I have carpal tunnel on both hands.
At this point in my life I am greatful that he is taking care of me but I have to settle for a non sexual relationship. I don’t believe he will ever admit that he is a sex addict.
No, I have never heard of any therapist making suggestions about a patient’s medication. Unless the therapist is a Medical Doctor they could lose their license over any discussion of medications as it is outside of their scope of practice. In lay terms it is called practicing medicine without a license.
Your husband should let his therapist know that he will only discuss his medication regime with his prescribing doctor.
Unfortunately most Sex Addicts have multiple addiction, personality, physical or emotional issues. It’s difficult enough to deal with the complexities of Sex Addiction, but the burden of these additional problems adds much stress on both the addict and their partners.
You are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best.
JoAnn,
For years my husband has taken various AD/HD meds combined with different anti-depressants. Currently he is taking Adderol (for ADD) and Celexa (for depression). He has tried to ration both meds since he is unemployed and has no insurance and seems to quickly fall into a depression which leads to acting out. Not sure whether it’s just an excuse or if there is really something to the missed doses. He also says that without the Adderol he is quick to hyperfocos on something (porn) and that, coupled with depression, makes it hard to maintain sobriety. His therapist who specializes in sex addiction has encouraged him to get off of the Adderol because of it’s addictive qualities and has almost refused to treat him as long as he is on it. Have you heard of SA therapists prohibiting their patients from taking certain drugs for ADD?
Hi Joann,
Most addicts, from what I understand also suffer from other addictions, such as alcohol and/or drug abuse and very often other co-morbid disorders.
My husband, while not a sex addict, per se, has suffered from severe depression which has had a tremendous negative impact on all areas of his life. He has had a lot of luck With Bupropion (Wellbutrin), but SSRI’s (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, etc.) did not work for him at all, due to some nasty side-effects. He has been on Wellbutrin for about a year and I’ve noticed in recent months that he has started going back to doing the things that he enjoyed doing years ago, such as reading and listening to music.
It would appear the for the vast majority of sexually addicted people, depression lies at the root of their problem and actually the acting out is a form of “self-medication.” If one can treat the depression, then the need for the “feel good drug” of sex should hopefully be ameliorated.
I think the problem is, that while the sex addict most likely will benefit from meds, the problem is discovering which ones will work and also identifying any “co-morbid” disorders which may also be impacting brain chemistry. These could include, “borderline personality disorder” “bi-polar” (aka manic/depression), AD/HD, OCD and a whole host of other possible disorders. I have done a lot of reading about these disorders as nearly all of them have affected members of my immediate family. Years of undiagnosed disorders, can lead to depression and low self-esteem, which then leads to “self medicating” and possible addictions of the improper substance, including using sex to self-medicate.
As you wrote before, sex is a triple whammy drug.
The sex addict will definitely need to see a psychiatrist who is an expert in psychopharmacology and generally, medication trials will be initiated. Unfortunately, since there are so many variables, including, individual chemistry, I doubt if there will ever be ONE magic pill that will work for everyone to cure the sex addict’s craving.
Many patients do get excellent results with SSRIs because they do also sometimes inhibit the sexual response.