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Addiction is similar to a chronic illness - it goes into "remission" and can be "arrested".
After significant work (several years) the constant agitation and urges to act-out will subside.
It is important to continue what you have learned in recovery:
To hope that the addiction will disappear as if it never existed is to set up oneself for disappointment and, ultimately, relapse.
Set your hope for a remission - not a complete eradication of your sexual addiction.
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As with other addictions, which are considered to be chronic, relapsing diseases, there is always the theoretical possibility of a relapse. For this reason, the patient learns to call himself a “recovering” rather than a “recovered” addict.
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I’ll never be cured of sexual addiction, but I can insure a daily reprieve contingent on maintaining these actions. Like the diabetic who must have insulin to lead a normal life, I must have a daily dose of Fellowship, Steps and Spirituality to stay in sobriety.
Most professionals believe that sex addicts can lead healthy, normal lives with appropriate treatment. However, most also believe that you can never be "cured" of your addiction or compulsion and will need to monitor and maintain certain boundaries around sexual fantasies and behaviors.
This is not to suggest that you will need to be in therapy for the remainder of your life but it often takes several years before you are aware of the complexities of your problem and are able to maintain a relapse-prevention strategy on your own.
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Like other types of addicts, some sexual addicts may never be "cured." Sexual addicts achieve a state of recovery, but maintaining that recovery can be a lifelong, day-by-day process. The Twelve Step treatment approach teaches addicts to take their recovery "one day at a time" - concentrating on the present, not the future.
Only with abstinence and recovery can the addict climb out of the depths of despair and hopelessness to a fuller, more rewarding life.
Sex addicts can become responsive and responsible members of the society.
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Most chronic illnesses are multidimensional in their origin and how they affect our lives. They have physical, mental, emotional and spiritual layers or aspects.
See also: