Modern love is confusing to many people. Online dating offers unique opportunities to meet people. For people who are not living with a sex or love addiction, online dating is a healthy and interesting way to form new relationships. For those who do have compulsive tendencies, however, the apps are like a connect- a trigger for engaging in an abusive behavior.
Defining Sex and Love Addiction
Sex and love addiction are two very different experiences. Someone who is addicted to sex will compulsively engage in sexual activity and sexualized behavior. Someone who is addicted to love, on the other hand, will compulsively engage in relationships, pursuit of relationships, or being attached to other people. Neither addiction is officially listed as a diagnosable condition. However, millions of people struggle with an inability to stay faithful in relationships, be comfortable without being in a relationship, or relating to others in a healthy way.
Why Dating Apps Are Harmful
Technology is addicting, as it is. App developers create apps to be as engaging and entertaining as possible so people spend ample amounts of time on that app. Everything from design to interface to the bluelight hidden behind the screen of digital devices is created to stimulate the brain. For people with a predisposition toward compulsive, addictive behaviors, this is problematic. Taking the basic circumstances and coupling it with the specific conditions of sex and love addiction, there is a high risk for developing a problem.
Compulsive Behaviors With Dating Apps
Someone who struggles with sex and love addiction will struggle with managing compulsive behaviors on an app which promotes sex and love. Finding partners for platonic relationships, strictly sexual relationships, and more can become addicting. Cheating on spouses, cheating on partners, sleeping with multiple partners, chronically looking for love and validation- all of these behaviors can quickly wear down on someone’s mental health and quality of life.
Compulsive behaviors could include:
- Using the app late into the night
- Not fulfilling life responsibilities due to using the app/meeting up with others
- Lying about app use and people met through the app
- Deleting the app due to feelings of shame and guilt
- Reinstalling the app in order to cope with feelings of shame and guilt
- Feeling unable to stop using the app or acting out sexually, or in relationships
Cypress Lake Recovery wants to help you find balance in your life, cultivate confidence and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Offering excellence in addiction treatment, our residential recovery programs for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders like sex addiction craft individualized treatment programs for sustainable recovery. Call us today for information: 409-331-2204
