Most clients I work with that are challenged with sex addiction suffer from isolation. The pain of isolation makes matters worse as it exacerbates turning to sexually addictive behaviors for relief from the pain. Thus, assisting and encouraging clients to create and maintain a healthy support network is a vital part of sex addition treatment.
Basic elements of Creating and Maintaining a support network:
- building community
- fostering a feeling of belonging
- avoiding isolation (addiction and isolation go hand in hand)
- learning to reach out for help rather than isolate