In the recent years, the question has become one of the hottest debates in psychology. On the other hand, many responsible sex experts claim there are a huge number of people who’s craving for the “high” of sex – usually promiscuous, anonymous sex – can legitimately be considered a true addiction. In extreme cases, these addicts hunt so obsessively for illicit sexual stimulation that it wrecks their marriages, careers and physical health.

On the other hand, other authorities complain that “sex addiction” is a fad diagnosis for something that cannot be legitimately be considered a true addiction at all. Some believe, if anything, it’s a problem more closely related to compulsions like anorexia than addictions like alcoholism. Others note that if this problem is addiction, it’s the only one whose “cure” doesn’t require complete abstinence. (After all, you can live without alcohol or drugs, but it would be both unhealthy and unrealistic to ask people to live without sex.)

 How many sex addicts are there? Dr. Carnes estimates there may be as many as 7 to 14 million population, and then there is 3 to 6 percent of the population has this disease. The most common form of addict is the person who flits from affair to affair and may occasionally visit prostitutes, porn shops, or blue movies. Although he or she feels ashamed and is secretive about such behavior, it continues even despite effort to stop.

How can you tell if your sexual urges have started to run out of control? Dr. Carnes suggests that you consider the following factors. If most of the answers to the pertinent questions are yes, there may well be an element of unhealthy compulsion in your sexual behavior.

Feelings of despair. After sex, do you have feelings of shame, despair, and emptiness?

Secrecy. Do you feel a need to keep your sexual behavior a secret? Do you thrive on the thrill of leading a clandestine “double life”?

Abuse. Do you engage in sexual practices that are abusive or exploitative? Do you have sex with partners who are not completely willing?

Empty relationships. Do you have sex with partners whom you don’t really even know – or worse, whom you don’t even like?

Compromised values. Does your sexual behavior consistently violate your ethical values?