6 Min Read
Contents
- What Is Arousal Addiction?
- The Most Common Questions About Arousal Addiction
- How Arousal Addiction Affects Your Life
- Is It Possible To Get Over Arousal Addiction?
- What To Take Away
How much do you know about arousal addiction? Could you be dealing with it?
Levi, 35, works in finance and likes to challenge himself. He considers himself the epitome of work hard and play harder.
He’s always enjoyed gambling when the opportunity presented itself, but lately he’s been exploring online gaming platforms because they’re easy and offer instant rewards.
The thrill of winning, even small wins, has become irresistible, even though there are more losses than wins. With each win, he experiences a high that he now relentlessly chases.
The anticipation of winning is now more stimulating than the money, and Levi is taking bigger and bigger risks.
Can you relate to Levi in any way?
If so, you, like Levi, are probably dealing with arousal addiction.
What Is Arousal Addiction?
Arousal addiction may sound like it has something to do with sex or porn, but it’s really much broader than that. What it actually refers to is a dependency (an element of addiction) on the excitement and stimulation (arousal) that accompanies certain activities.
These are just a few of the activities that can be an avenue for arousal addiction to present itself.
So, the hallmark of arousal addiction isn’t the activity itself, but rather the emotional and mental response that comes from the anticipation and excitement of these activities.
The Most Common Questions About Arousal Addiction
We’ve all heard about,
Arousal addiction, however, isn’t typically part of the conversation.
Yet, because arousal addiction is defined as a compulsive need for stimulation, it can be what drives people who are affected to participate in activities that create an adrenaline rush. Activities like those mentioned above are just a few that fall into that category.
Dr. Kurt works with both men and women who struggle with arousal addiction. That's not how they refer to it though. According to Dr. Kurt,
Arousal addiction isn't a familiar term. As a result, most people aren't aware that they've become dependent upon arousal. The closest description I hear in counseling men is the statement - 'I'm an adrenaline junkie.' Which is actually also a good way of saying - 'I'm addicted to being aroused.' However, adrenaline, or epinephrine, which is a hormone, is just one many types of hormones. Thus an arousal addiction could be tied to adrenaline that's produced by engaging in activities like skydiving, or hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins that accompany sexual arousal."
Since it isn’t frequently discussed, there are many misunderstandings and questions about arousal addiction. Some of the most common are below.
Is arousal addiction the same as sex addiction?
No.
Sex addiction is compulsive sexual behavior, while arousal addiction refers to the craving for excitement and novelty. It can manifest through many activities, of which risky sexual behavior can be one, but the two aren’t synonymous. The expression of arousal addiction isn’t limited to sexual activities though.
In other words, compulsive and risky sexual behavior can be driven by arousal addiction, but sex addiction can have other origins and a more complicated psychology.
Is arousal addiction the same as porn addiction?
No.
Like sex addiction, arousal addiction can include porn and result in an addiction, but it’s broader than just that. Any activity that creates a rush and excitement can be part of an arousal addiction.
What about social media?
Social media use can develop into an addiction and become driven by an arousal addiction. But the two aren’t the same thing.
Are all addictions driven by arousal addiction?
No.
Although it can drive people to behaviors that can trigger a separate addiction, arousal addiction is a subtype of addiction that centers around a need for excitement and stimulation.
Addictions can be driven by psychological, emotional, or biological factors. Examples of those factors include trauma, anxiety, development of chemical dependency, and stress relief.
Arousal addiction does not fuel all addictive behavior.
Is arousal addiction always bad and unhealthy?
There’s not a simple answer.
In most cases, addictions, including arousal addiction, lead to destructive behaviors. Risky sex, porn, gambling, and gaming can all be detrimental to a person’s mental health, relationships, and daily lives.
But many people who engage in extreme sports, become elite athletes, or are intensely creative may also have an arousal addiction. In these cases, the activities aren’t unhealthy per se’.
Other “not unhealthy” areas where arousal addiction might manifest are,
- Music, painting, writing, or acting. Passion for creativity can be driven by the excitement that creation brings. This can be a form of arousal addiction.
- Physical activity like running marathons, boxing, football, or soccer. These can produce a “high” that participants want to replicate continually and their pursuit may be a result of arousal addiction in a person.
- Serial entrepreneurs. A lot of excitement can come from starting new ventures. Chasing the excitement of a new business can be driven by an arousal addiction.
- High-stress jobs. ER doctors, first responders, and air traffic controllers are just a few of the exciting and stressful jobs those with arousal addiction may pursue.
It should be stated that even though these pursuits aren’t “unhealthy,” all addictions and addictive behavior have the potential to negatively affect mental health and relationships.
Balance is key.
How does arousal addiction affect the brain?
Brain chemistry is complicated, but put simply, arousal addiction overstimulates the dopamine reward system, leading to a reduced sensitivity to pleasure and a need for more and more stimuli to achieve the same level of satisfaction.
In the same way, drinking too much can lead to increased “tolerance” for alcohol, causing certain people to drink more and more to get a buzz. Too much exposure to dopamine in frequent intervals can lead to the need for more and more stimulation to create the dopamine high that’s responsible for the feelings of excitement.
How Arousal Addiction Affects Your Life
Some reading this may think, “Well, I may have an arousal addiction, but I’m doing the healthier things, so it’s okay.”
There’s logic to that thought, but, unfortunately, it’s flawed.
The impacts of arousal addiction in any of its forms are far-reaching and can affect many areas of life.
Most prominently,
Relationships
Those with an arousal addiction have a tough time maintaining relationships. Almost invariably, addictive behavior – healthy or unhealthy - gets prioritized over relationships, leading to neglect, dishonesty, and emotional distance.
In the case of porn addiction, it can also cause partners to feel inadequate and betrayed. It may, too, become a slippery slope into sex addiction, which can result in cheating.
All addictive behaviors can eventually lead to the breakdown of relationships and break-ups or divorce.
Work
Unless work is how an arousal addiction manifests, it’s not uncommon for daily responsibilities to take a back seat to addictive behaviors.
When you miss work, take too much time off, or are caught engaging in addictive behaviors while on the clock, it will damage your career and advancement.
Finances
Many of the behaviors that are caused by arousal addiction can drain your wallet. The most obvious is gambling, but it’s not the only one.
Porn addiction and gaming can come with subscription fees and in-game purchases. At the same time, extreme sports require equipment and possibly travel. Even marathon running can cost over $100 per entry.
Mental health
Although it may seem clear that any addictive behavior comes with mental health threats, some effects are less obvious than others.
Arousal addiction can create shame, guilt, and anxiety. Most people who suffer from arousal addiction know they’re neglecting their relationships or engaging in damaging activities. This can cause nagging feelings of negativity that plague them.
They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they’re unable to engage in their preferred activity. These emotional highs and lows can lead to depression and anxiety.
Is It Possible To Get Over Arousal Addiction?
Yes, it is possible, but it takes self-awareness, commitment, and possibly professional help.
If your aim is to break the cycle and get past an arousal addiction, begin with the following steps.
- Admit there’s a problem. As with all addictions, the first step to overcoming it is acknowledging that its causing problems. This involves taking a clear and honest look at your behavior and understanding what it’s doing to you and those around you.
- Make positive changes. As you try to break away from problem behaviors, seek healthier alternatives. Exercise, meditation, and other mindfulness practices can help reduce impulsive urges and reinforce personal control.
- Identify triggers and set boundaries. Purposefully steer clear of triggering environments and set boundaries. A good support system can help keep you accountable and on track.
- Seek help. There can be deeper reasons for an arousal addiction that need to be addressed. A professional counselor can help you identify and work through them. They can also give you the tools for modifying and controlling your actions as well as provide support.
- Exercise patience. Recovery won’t happen overnight. Give yourself some grace and exercise patience as setbacks occur. Progress can be gradual, but it can become permanent if you’re intent and purposeful in the changes you make.
What To Take Away
Arousal addiction is a complicated and often misunderstood condition. It can affect people in extremely different ways, but at its core, it’s always the same – a compulsive need for excitement and stimulation.
If you’re concerned you may be dealing with an arousal addiction, ask yourself the following:
- Do you feel a deep need for increasingly exciting activities to feel satisfied?
- Do you engage in these activities even though you know there could be negative consequences?
- Do these activities interfere with relationships, work, and finances, or cause anxiety?
- Do you feel withdrawal symptoms if you’re unable to engage in these activities?
If you answered yes to most or all of these questions, you probably have an arousal addiction, and it may be time to take action and make changes.
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