In recovery - the Initial celibacy often leads to issues of grief and loss.
When the "drug of choice" (i.e., sex) has been removed, sex addicts have profound feelings of loss.
In many ways it is similar to experiencing a death, but in this case the death of what they have come to know as their "best friend" and the
most reliable companion.
Initially, nothing fills the void of that loss and therapists should be prepared to help clients go through the stages of grief and loss around their behavior.
Grief and loss over the sexual behavior can trigger other grief and loss issues related to past trauma and family of origin issues.
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