Professional Issues: Cybersex addiction

Abstract

With regard to the phenomenology of cybersex addiction, it is factual that there is no compromise regarding categorization, concept and criteria for diagnosis (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). According to some studies, it is perceptible that cyber addiction can be correlated with substance abuse where the appropriate diagnostic criteria are approach/avoidance propensities. This is based on the fact that in most phenomena where individuals exhibit extreme addiction tend to have tendencies to avoid or approach the stimuli that is associated with the addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). According to research, individuals with cybersex addition appear to embrace or avoid the stimuli towards the fact that is causing addition such as pornography. Furthermore, research indicated that persons who exhibit extreme sexual excitation have high cybersex addiction. The same case applies to those individuals who have challenging sexual behavior as they tend to higher cybersex addiction. Therefore, citing from the analogy between cybersex addiction and substance use addiction, research infers that approach and avoidance behavior are the major factors that determine cybersex addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). It is noteworthy that the persistence of cybersex addiction poses an accumulating effect on the daily life of the victim.

Keywords: cybersex addiction, substance use, challenging sexual behavior, stimuli            

Introduction   

Cybersex addiction can be delineated as a sexual addiction phenomenon exhibited by an individual which is characterized by persistent sexual activity in the internet (Griffiths, 2012). It is factual that cybersex addiction poses significant effects on the individual’s mental, social and physical behavior not forgetting about the financial well-being. The addiction is depicted through behaviors such as viewing and downloading pornographic materials from the internet, reading erotic stories, masturbation using online materials, and engaging in adult online fantasies among others (Griffiths, 2012). Alluding to the fact that cybersex addiction is a recent issue probably intense in the past decade, it is undeniable that the phenomenology is yet to be fully understood. It is theorized that the addiction is resulted by three major factors which include inability to make a decision about cybersex, inability to stop and obsession with cybersex (Griffiths, 2012).  The reasons that force individuals to cybersex behaviors are diverse which are associated with psychological issues of the individual. Some of the factors that compel someone towards cybersex activities include low-esteem, social segregation, problematic sexual behavior, distorted reputation, and depression among others. Furthermore, cybersex addiction is associated with psychological issues such as self-identity, self-esteem, and self-intimacy just to name a few (Griffiths, 2012). In the last decade, researchers did not have a specific definition for cybersex addiction but recently, the definition was clear as numerous people continue to engage in definite cyber activities that fall under cybersex addiction. Additionally, researchers in the contemporary world tend to correlate cybersex addiction with internet gaming since they appear to have similar internet addiction habits. Thus, this is how cybersex addiction got its definition citing from characteristics such as loss of control, persistent engagement in cybersex activities, and preoccupation (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). It is worthwhile to state that cybersex is not only associated with pornography consumption but rather all activities that fall under cybersex behavior (Griffiths, 2012). However, it is irrefutable that for most men, pornography appears to be the most common cybersex activity. As research continues to assess the phenomenology further, it is perceptible that cybersex addiction cannot be correlated with sex addiction and hypersexuality since internet sex addiction is considerably different to physical sexual activity (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Therefore, this paper will assess the issue of cybersex addiction in relation to best practices and possible interventions while making a deeper evaluation of the phenomenon citing from recent studies.

Cybersex Phenomenology

Currently, it has been proven that cybersex addition is associated with approach or avoidance tendencies to factors causing stimuli to the addiction (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Studies continue to derive evidence that categorizes cybersex addiction in the same group with substance use dependency. Precisely, approach or avoidance behaviors can be deciphered as the tendencies to either embrace (approach) or repress (avoidance) cybersex activity. Similarly to alcohol addiction, it is exhibited that the victim exhibits independent inclinations to either suppress or promote substance dependency. This means that when an individual tends to avoid the addition stimuli, it results to a craving or cue-reactivity thereby resulting to addiction. Thus, it is possible for a person who exhibit approach tendency to have avoidance approach to the addiction stimuli (Laier & Brand, 2014).

It is paradoxical that as the individual tries to refrain from cyber activity, the craving increases significantly especially when confronted with pornographic materials. According to the neurological theories, it is indicated that repeated activity results to adaptation in mesolimbic dopaminergic trail which makes the craving to occur automatically and unconsciously (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). Therefore, it is palpable that though the research on mesolimbic dopaminergic trail was conducted on drug use, the analogy between substance dependency and cybersex addiction makes the concept possible and applicable to cybersex addiction. This is based on the fact that sexual stimuli cause neural activations that enhance the adoptions in the mesolimbic dopaminergic trail (Snagowski & Brand, 2015).

Evaluating Approach/Avoidance Tendency 

One of the most common techniques of assessing the stimuli that causes the addiction during approach or avoidance propensities is stimulus-response compatibility task (SRC). This technique incorporates a manikin object used against the respondents of the test while recording the changes in reaction times (RTs). These changes represent either approach or avoidance to the addiction-causing stimuli (Laier & Brand, 2014). Results obtained from this technique indicates that tendencies to approach are higher than those of avoidance especially substance users and smokers. Therefore, since the technique was used to assess substance use, it is theorized that the same concept applies to cybersex addiction with the same results.

Cybersex Interventions

Similarly to other types of addictions, it is factual that cybersex addiction is hard to control especially when the victim is completely obsessed with internet sexual activities. This is reinforced by the fact that it is nearly impossible to refrain from using the internet in the contemporary technological world (Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch & Hajela, 2015). It is perceptible that individuals who exhibit cybersex addiction started it at his or her teen age since internet is perfect home for pornographic materials and is accessible using mobile devices. Thus, it is recommendable for the addicted individuals to seek professional counseling for an immediate advice on how to deal with addition-related stimuli (Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch & Hajela, 2015). Additionally, the victims can seek rehabilitation services that will help them refrain from cybersex activities and control the addiction. On the other hand, for personal psychotherapy, dealing with cybersex addiction can be done by developing healthy and physical sexual behaviors. This is based on the fact that cybersex poses negative effects of the sexual health of the individual. Thus, engaging in physical sexual behavior helps in modifying mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway from neural reactions that cause the craving for cybersex (Snagowski & Brand, 2015).

The other technique that can be used to help control cybersex addiction is problem identification. Problem identification creates awareness on the negative effects of online sexual activities by defining symptoms, behaviors and risks associated with cybersex addiction. Additionally, problem identification helps in defining the process of change thereby enhancing its effectiveness. The last type of intervention that can be employed is primary treatment that involves medical care. It is factual that a combination of in-patient and outpatient treatment can help significantly in dealing with cybersex addiction. Many people have undergone medical treatment and have successfully refrained from cybersex activities. However, the effectiveness of these interventions and treatments is yet to be discovered as it is hard to determine the time required to fully overcome mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway adaptations that result to the craving (Snagowski & Brand, 2015). However, it is undeniable that among the stated interventions, primary treatment is the most effective form of treatment as it is easy for drugs to interfere with the neural reactions resulted by the addiction-related stimuli.         

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy    

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) falls under the primary treatment for cybersex addiction since it helps in impulse control (Young, 2011). This type of treatment was suggested after the research identified cybersex addiction as one of the major clinical disorders in the contemporary society. The disorder became a major concern for medical health sector because it exhibits to cause occupational, relational and social problems to the individual. The reason why CBT is suggested as the most effective intervention for cybersex addiction is because it appeared to be efficient for impulse-related disorders that make individual lack control (Young, 2011). Some of the disorders that were tested using CBT include pathological gambling, explosive disorder and eating disorders among others. Therefore, since internet sex addiction is similar to other types of addiction disorders, it was suggested that CBT is one of the most effective treatment for this addiction. However, given that cybersex addiction is based on persistent use of internet, researchers suggested the improvement of the intervention because internet addiction exhibited to be different from other compulsive disorders. According to Young (2011), researchers came up with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Internet Addiction (CBT-IA) for internet sex addiction. Basically, CBT is based on the notion that feelings are derived from thoughts of an individual. As a result, the intervention focuses on teaching the patients on monitoring their thoughts that result to addictive feelings. Precisely, CBT requires 12 weeks of treatment where the early stages focus on behaviors that result to compulsive activities (Young, 2011). The late stages of therapy focus on cognitive functions that result to effects of addiction behaviors.

Generally, given that refraining from internet using is not practical in the contemporary world, CBT recommends moderated and controlled use of internet to cope with the addiction (Young, 2011). This means that the treatment focuses on both computer and non-computer behaviors of an individual. For the computer behavior, the intervention focuses on actual online activities before developing controlled use of computer. For instance, a professional person addicted to online pornography should first learn to avoid adult sites while using the computer with accessible internet (Young, 2011). On the other hand, non-computer behavior involves helping patients to live normally without the internet.

In the first phase of the treatment, the intervention focuses on behavior modification by assessing the internet activity of the patient (Young, 2011). Therefore, the intervention uses a modification plan that cites from the record of the individual’s online activity. The record of online activity helps in determining when the individual visits certain sites and for what reasons. One of the triggers of visiting certain cites is the mood before logging in. therefore, after determining the mood, the patient is advised to avoid the factors that contribute to the mood thus minimizing chances of visiting adult sites.

The second phase of the CBT involves cognitive restructuring which is achieved by identifying maladaptive cognitions (Young, 2011). Some of the maladaptive cognitions assessed in this stage include overgeneralization, personalization and magnification that results to cybersex addiction. For instance, an addict might suffer from indistinct self-thoughts that will create a craving to visit adult sites (Young, 2011). Thus, this phase identifies maladaptive cognitions and helps the individual attack them and avoid visiting adult sites.

The last phase of CBT involves harm reduction therapy where factors that result to cybersex addiction are identified (Young, 2011). Some of these factors include social, relational, occupational, psychological and personal issues that false someone into cybersex activities. This phase is based on the presumption that cybersex activities relief addicts from certain daily life issues (Young, 2011). This means that by visiting pornographic sites, the individual is relieved from a certain problem for a short time. Therefore, identifying this problem will help in reducing the tendency of visiting the sites and thus reducing harm. Generally, this type of intervention defines recovery from cybersex addiction as not basically stopping the behavior but also identifying compulsive behavior/factors and resolving them in a healthy way.

Conclusion              

In general, cybersex addiction is one of the major effects that were caused by the development of internet and technology in the contemporary world. It is factual that internet is easily accessible not only using computers but also using mobile devices everywhere every time. This has resulted to many people engaging in cybersex activities persistently. Nowadays, it is easy to engage in activities such viewing and downloading pornographic materials from the internet, reading erotic stories, masturbation using online materials, and engaging in adult online fantasies.  According to the studies, the source of addiction can be cited from approach/avoidance tendencies where the more an individual tries to refrain from the activities, the more the craving. This is based on the theory that sexual activity results to neural reaction that causes adaptation in mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. This adaptation causes the craving when the person stops from the activity. Therefore, there are different interventions that can be employed to control cybersex addiction. These interventions include developing healthy and physical sexual behaviors, problem identification and primary treatment. Under primary treatment, CBT is one of the most effective types of treatment that can be employed to control cybersex addiction. It involves behavior modification, cognitive restructuring and harm reduction. In conclusion, it is advisable for the addicted individual to seek treatment from the professionals in order to successfully recover from cybersex addiction.

References     

Snagowski, J., & Brand, M. (2015). Symptoms of cybersex addiction can be linked to both approaching and avoiding pornographic stimuli: results from an analog sample of regular cybersex users. Frontiers In Psychology, 61-14. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00653

Young, K. S. (2011). CBT-IA: The First Treatment Model for Internet Addiction. Journal Of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 25(4), 304-312. doi:10.1891/0889-8391.25.4.304

Griffiths, M. D. (2012). Internet sex addiction: A review of empirical research. Addiction Research & Theory, 20(2), 111-124. doi:10.3109/16066359.2011.588351

Laier, C., & Brand, M. (2014). Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations on Factors Contributing to Cybersex Addiction From a Cognitive-Behavioral View. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 21(4), 305-321. doi:10.1080/10720162.2014.970722

Love, T., Laier, C., Brand, M., Hatch, L., & Hajela, R. (2015). Neuroscience of Internet Pornography Addiction: A Review and Update. Behavioral Sciences (2076-328X), 5(3), 388-433. doi:10.3390/bs5030388