Title : Sex and love addiction in the digital age
Abstract:
The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed human sexuality, creating unprecedented access to sexual content, anonymous interactions, virtual relationships, and high-intensity stimulation through internet pornography, social media, dating applications, webcams, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence–driven technologies. While these advances have expanded opportunities for sexual expression and connection, they have also raised concerns regarding compulsive sexual behavior and its impact on individuals, couples, and families.
This presentation traces the historical development of the sex addiction fellowship, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Drawing on clinical experience, addiction theory, and emerging research, the presentation explores parallels between compulsive sexual behavior and substance use disorders, including craving, tolerance, loss of control, escalation, and relapse. Attention will also be given to the role of trauma, attachment disturbances, ADHD, depression, and other co-occurring psychiatric conditions.
Clinical challenges unique to the digital era—including cybersex, online infidelity, parasocial relationships, immersive fantasy environments, and algorithm-driven reinforcement—will be discussed in the context of intimacy, secrecy, dissociation, and relational impairment. Co-occurring addictions, including alcohol, substance use, and gambling disorders, will also be considered.
The presentation concludes with evidence-informed approaches to assessment, psychotherapy, recovery-oriented treatment, and harm-reduction strategies, providing clinicians and researchers with a contemporary framework for understanding compulsive sexual behavior in an increasingly technology-mediated world.
