Sex Addiction Is Real: Advocating for the Healing Black Women Deserve

As a Black Woman, coach, and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), I’ve witnessed firsthand how the intersection of race, gender, and addiction creates unique challenges for Black Women seeking help with sex and love addiction. Despite the skepticism of some in the psychotherapeutic community who deny the legitimacy of sex addiction, the evidence speaks for itself, sex addiction is not only real but deeply destructive. Stefanie Carnes, Ph.D., CSAT-S, and president of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP), argues that denying sex addiction as a valid diagnosis prevents individuals from accessing life-changing treatment. She highlights that while major sexual health organizations recognize sex addiction, there is still no official diagnosis for this disorder in the DSM-5.

This lack of acknowledgment leaves us especially vulnerable, as we already face systemic barriers to mental health care and are more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed altogether. Critics of the sex addiction model often claim it imposes moral or religious values on individuals already battling shame. However, properly trained coaches focus not on judgment but on healing. For Black Women, this means addressing both the behavioral patterns and the societal stigmas and barriers that make seeking help feel like yet another battle.

Scientific research supports the legitimacy of sex addiction. Neuroscientists have studied the brain activity of sex and pornography addicts and found parallels to substance abuse disorders. Ji-Woo Seok and Jin-Hun Sohn of the Brain Research Institute at Chungnam National University in South Korea recently reinforced these findings: Sex addicts, like substance abusers, display heightened attention to addiction-related cues (e.g., pornography). Brain responses to sexual stimuli in addicts mirror those of drug addicts exposed to drug-related triggers. Compulsive porn users often crave pornography (greater “wanting”) without necessarily experiencing greater sexual satisfaction (greater “liking”). Sex addicts show a preference for novelty, leading to escalated use, much like substance abusers seeking stronger highs. These studies provide compelling evidence that sex addiction operates neurologically like any other addiction, making it vital to treat it with the same level of urgency and care.

For Black Women, the stakes are even higher. Sexuality has long been weaponized against us, from the hypersexualized stereotypes rooted in slavery to the Jezebel Video Vixen tropes that continues to influence perceptions today. This history of exploitation and judgment makes it harder for us to admit struggles with sexual addiction without fear of being shamed, dismissed, or misunderstood. Religious communities, often a cornerstone of support in the Black community, are not immune to this issue. Studies report that as many as 50% of laymen and clergy have viewed pornography within the past year. Additionally, an estimated 8-10% of the U.S. population struggles with sex addiction. Yet, faith-based communities often lack the tools or language to address this addiction effectively, leaving Black Women caught between faith and shame.

To break the cycle, we must prioritize culturally sensitive approaches that validate the lived experiences of Black Women. Healing from sex and love addiction requires more than behavioral changes; it demands reclaiming autonomy, addressing trauma, and confronting the societal narratives that tell us our worth is tied to our sexuality. As a coach, I am committed to shining a light on this silent struggle. My mission is to create safe spaces for Black Women to explore their experiences, seek support without judgment, and find holistic healing. Sex addiction is real, but so is recovery and we deserve access to both.

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