Sexual Addiction Recovery - LifeSTAR Sacramento

LifeSTAR (Sexual Trauma and Addiction Recovery) Program Information

Is there really such a thing as Sexual Addiction?
We have all been educated about drug and alcohol addictions. The field of addictionology now understands what are called "process addictions," which means that a person can become addicted to food, gambling, work, high-risk activities, another person, and even to emotions such as rage, shame and despair. In many ways, all addictions have similarities and are symptoms that a person is attempting to increase their pleasure and avoid their pain. The LifeSTAR Recovery program position is based upon the view that if you cannot control when you start or stop a behavior, and if the behavior causes serious problems for you and those close to you, then you may have become addicted. Our program targets and treats the original system structure from which the need to mood alter arises so that a person does not, in effect, trade one addiction for another.

Examples of Chemical and Process Addictions:

AROUSAL ADDICTIONS:

Stimulant Drugs
Compulsive Gambling
Compulsive Sex
Compulsive Spending
Compulsive Gaming
Compulsive Working

DEPRIVATION ADDICTIONS:

Compulsive Under-spending
Sexual Anorexia
Spiritual Anorexia
Compulsive Hoarding
Contra-dependence
Food Anorexia

FANTASY ADDICTIONS:

Marijuana
Psychedelic Drugs
Religion
Computer Games
Computer Relationships
Compulsive Sex

SATIATION ADDICTIONS:

Alcohol
Depressant Drugs
Compulsive Eating
Compulsive Sex
Compulsive TV
Codependence

Sexual addiction can include all four styles of addiction and is similar to a food addiction because of the way the body and brain are wired for love, relationship and sexuality. After our survival needs for air, water, food and shelter are met, the next most important need we have is for love and bonding relationships with others. Developmentally, sexual addiction is commonly viewed as a "Bonding and Attachment Disorder" which can later become a "Courtship Disorder." Acting out sexual behaviors are then maladaptive ways to meet one's physical, emotional and psychological needs for love, touch, relationship and intimacy with self and others.

How do I know if I have a sexual addiction or compulsive sexual behavior?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do you ever feel bad or uncomfortable about your sexual behavior?
Do you become restless or irritable when you are unable to engage in sexually related behavior?
Do you ever feel guilt, remorse, or depression about your sexual behavior?
Have you tried and failed to control the amount of sexual activity you engage in?
Has your need for sexually related behaviors ever made you abandon your value system or go against your better judgment?
Do you resort to pornography, or other sexual activities to escape from your problems, to relieve anxiety or cope with stress?
Do you feel shame about your sexual activities?
Do you feel a need to conceal from others either the nature or frequency of your sexual activities?
Do you lead a secret or double life?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you may have a sexual addiction. The good news is that you are not alone and there is help.

What does your Sexual Trauma and Addiction Recovery program involve?
The LifeSTAR (Sexual Trauma and Addiction Recovery) program is a comprehensive three-phase, out-patient group therapy program. We also recommend our clients include individual counseling and 12-step work while in the program. Our recovery program consists of three phases of treatment for complete sobriety, recovery and healing.

Phase I: Getting Started is a six-week educational course for people struggling with sexual addiction, and for their partners. This exciting new course provides workbooks and materials to educate participants about the cycle of sexual addiction and the underlying issues, and teaches each individual how to begin the recovery journey toward sobriety and healthy, balanced living. The primary focus of the Getting Started Workshop is to educate and create an environment of support and hope. We have found that when clients are well-informed about the underlying issues that influence unhealthy behaviors, they become empowered to take a more proactive and successful approach to sobriety and complete recovery.

The Getting Started Workshop is intended for those starting out in recovery, and is also recommended for those who have been attending 12-step groups or for those being discharged from an in-patient setting. We strongly recommend that couples attend so they can begin the process of education together; however, the workshop is also for single adults and for those clients whose partners choose not to attend.

Phase II: Recovery Group is intended to help clients develop solid sobriety and employ successful strategies that will help them live healthier, happier lives, free from compulsive behaviors and addictions. The workbooks in Phase II focus on providing a deeper look at denial, the addiction cycle, fantasies and objectification, relapse prevention, and healthy living. Participants should stay in Phase II until they have established a solid sobriety, are implementing an effective treatment plan—including a network of support—and have a detailed understanding of their addictive system. Partners in Phase II are provided with a supportive environment to explore their anger, grief and fear in addition to working on healthier boundary systems and self-care.

Phase III: Advanced Group is a long-term commitment to group therapy and is geared toward helping participants maintain their new-found healthy lifestyles. Phase III addresses the underlying issues that created the addiction cycle, such as faulty negative beliefs, dysfunctional systems, trauma, and abuse. Once the addiction has been stopped and the underlying issues have been addressed, healthy lifestyle changes are reinforced in order to not only maintain sobriety gains but to continue on to full and complete recovery. For couples in the program, this is the time to focus on re-building their marriage on a foundation of trust and healthy intimacy. In Phase III, they put into practice all of the identity and boundary training they have received throughout the first two phases.

Are your groups just for addicts—what about my spouse?
LifeSTAR has observed that our clients often find more success if their spouseparticipates in their healing process; therefore, we offer the three phases ofthe LifeSTAR program, specifically addressing the needs of partners and/or spouses.Our partners program is a combination of boundary work, grief and loss support,and healing from the effects of living with a partner who has been strugglingwith compulsive sexual behaviors. However,ifyouaresingleorifyourspouseisunableorunwillingtoparticipate,donotletthatstopyou. Individuals who participate in the groups on their own can still experiencerecovery and healing.

So if I start the Recovery from Sexual Addiction group program, is that all I need to do?
In addition to the LifeSTAR group sessions, we also recommend joining a 12-step program, (see Resources), as well as individual counseling sessions with one of our experienced, licensed therapists who has been trained in sexual addiction recovery and in the LifeSTAR recovery program. However, you can still participate in the program if you are already seeing an individual therapist. Our staff will coordinate treatment with your therapist.

What are the costs?
Our 6-week program meets weekly for three hours and includes a set of three resourcepamphlets and four recovery workbooks (Cycle of Addiction, Family of Origin,Shame and Boundaries). Please call for more information regarding the Phase Iprogram. Phases II and III group sessions are based on a monthly tuition fee. Please call for more information.

What do I do to get started?
Call our office today at 916-728-LIFE (5433) to set up an assessment interview and to find out when the next Phase I group session will be starting. We also offer a free download of a very helpful booklet entitled The First Step that will help you take the first steps toward recovery.