What is the difference between sex addiction and a “high sex drive”?
This is a very common question from partners of sex addicts and from lay persons in general. There are some important distinctions to be made. The first is that a person with a high sex drive is satisfied with sex. A sex addict almost never is. The high sex drive person does not overreact to a “NO” from their partner, does not feel totally rejected and does not need to find another outlet to “act out”. The sex addict usually has opposite reactions. Secondly, the high sex drive person does not break marriage vows, relationship boundaries or laws in pursuing sexual satisfaction. The addict often does one or all of these acts. High sex drive persons usually want sex more often or for longer times. When a partner is not reciprocal, this can become a relational issue but one that most often is worked out by the couple or with minimal professional help. Sex addiction cannot be worked out by the couple alone and without professional guidance (at the least) will lead to destructive behaviors.
