Addiction Therapy Ottawa

Sonia Maisonneuve Addictions Therapist Thérapeute en Dépendances

Sex and Love Addiction

Symptoms of sex addiction are parallel to substance abuse and pathological gambling.

Individuals may present one or more of the following symptoms:

Loss of control : Recurrent failure to resist impulses to engage in specific sexual behavior
A pattern of out of control behavior over time
Unsuccessful efforts to stop
Inordinate amount of time spent acting out
Preoccupation
Sexual behavior interferes with obligations (family, school, work, friends...)
Continuation of behavior despite the negative consequences
Need to make the behavior more intense, more frequent or more risky
Loosing, limiting, or sacrificing valued parts of life such as family, relationships...
Stopping behavior causes considerable distress, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, or physical discomfort sex addiction

Symptoms of Love Addiction

Assigning a disproportionate amount of time, attention and value to the person to whom they are addicted
Being obsessed with the person to whom they are addicted
Having unrealistic expectations for unconditional positive regard from the other person in the relationship
Neglecting to care for or value themselves while in the relationship

Substance Addiction

Exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics can indicate substance abuse or addiction:

Feeling that you have to use the substance regularly or binge use
Having intense urges to use (conscious or unconscious)
Needing more of the substance to get the same effect
Making certain that you maintain a supply
Spending money on the substance, even though you can't afford it
Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities
Cutting back on social or recreational activities because of use
Doing things to support using that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Engaging in risky activities when you're under the influence
Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the substance
Failing in your attempts to stop
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop

Co-dependency / Co-addiction

It need not be a Dead End.

Recovery from co-dependency/co-addiction is a process. It begins with identifying feelings and behaviors and their origins with a therapist. Individuals can then develop healthier coping mechanisms to bring healing.

Feelings of fear, anxiety, shame, an overwhelming need to control, neglecting ourselves and focusing on others are characteristics that may suddenly emerge when something harmless reminds us of a traumatic experience. The individual may or may not be conscious of the traumatic experience which can be 'crazy making'.

When partners are deeply impacted by the behaviors of the addict, and specifically their spouse’s betrayal(s) of their trust, they feel embarrassed and distressed, and find very few if any people they can confide in about their pain.