Sex Addiction Statistics

How Common Is Sex Addiction?

Sex addiction is a behavioral condition that affects millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide. Studies suggest sex addiction impacts 3% to 6% of U.S. adults — between 10-20 million people.

It’s hard to find exact figures for sex addiction because of stigma and shame, leading people to underreport the condition.

Rising rates of compulsive sexual behavior may be partially due to the availability of pornography and hookup apps. One study found 4.7 million U.S. adults spend over 11 hours weekly viewing online pornography.

While men are more commonly affected, sex addiction also impacts women. Stigma and societal expectations often make it harder for women to seek help, leaving many untreated.

Rates of Sex Addiction in the U.S.

This type of addiction affects many adults in the U.S. A national survey of over 2,000 adults found that more than 8% reported symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD).

In one U.S. study, 10.3% of men and 7% of women said they felt distress over out-of-control sexual behaviors. In another study, 14.7% of adults reported sexual impulsivity, with higher rates in men (18.9%) than women (10.9%).

The problem is that measuring sex addiction is tricky because there’s no universal definition or diagnostic criteria. Stigma and shame also lead to underreporting of the condition.

These challenges in measuring compulsive sexual behavior aren’t unique to the U.S. — similar patterns appear worldwide.

Rates of Sex Addiction Worldwide

Around 5% of people worldwide may experience a hypersexual disorder, but rates vary widely, from 1.6% to 16.7% across countries. The differences in the numbers may be due to factors like gender roles and cultural attitudes toward sexual behavior.

Around the world, men report the highest rates of sex addiction, followed by gender-diverse individuals and women. CSBD is clearly a global issue, with support groups like Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous present in over 40 countries.

Sex Addiction Rates by Demographic

Sex addiction affects people across all demographics, but rates vary based on factors like age, gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Sex Addiction Rates in Men

10% of men experience significant distress and dysfunction related to sexual thoughts or actions.

Among those seeking treatment, men reported having 59 sexual partners over five years on average, while women reported 8.

Most men seeking help for compulsive sexual behavior seem to develop these patterns in their late teens. Impulsivity and difficulty managing emotions can drive these behaviors, leading to poor decision-making and a struggle to regulate urges, such as masturbation.

Thanks to the reduced societal stigma surrounding male sexual behavior, men are more likely than women to report compulsive sexual behavior. However, societal expectations about masculinity and self-reliance may still discourage many men from seeking help.

Sex Addiction Rates in Women

Sex addiction is more commonly associated with men, but women also experience compulsive sexual behaviors.

One study showed that 7% of women experienced high levels of distress and disruption in their lives due to their sexual thoughts or actions.

However, women are less likely to report and seek treatment than men, thanks to stigma and societal expectations around female sexuality.

Interestingly, research shows that women’s compulsive sexual behaviors may manifest in different patterns.

Women seem more likely to report exhibitionism, trading sex, or fantasy-based activities, whereas men may engage in behaviors such as voyeurism or anonymous encounters.

Sex Addiction Rates in Youth

Young people are vulnerable to compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB). Many adults with CSB report their struggles began during adolescence, and among college students, rates range from 2% to 10%.

Childhood trauma, such as sexual abuse, is a major risk factor.

39% of men and 63% of women in healthcare for CSB reported childhood sexual abuse, compared to lower rates in the general population.

Impulsivity and poor emotional regulation, common in adolescence, can exacerbate the problems, while exposure to sexualized media, peer pressure, and substance use increase the likelihood of risky sexual activities.

Sex Addiction Rates in LGBTQ Populations

Research suggests LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of compulsive sexual behavior compared to the general population. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected, with rates much higher than other demographics.

Men who have sex with other men can use sex as a coping mechanism for deep emotional pain, which can lead to risky patterns.

For example, one study found that 10.7% of men who have sex with men and were battling sex addiction were HIV-positive, compared to 7.2% in the general MSM population.

Cultural norms, including casual encounters made easier by hook-up apps, compound the problem.

Socioeconomic Factors and Sex Addiction Rates

Economic insecurity can fuel the cycle of compulsive sexual behaviors.

People earning less than $25,000 per year are more likely to report difficulty managing sexual urges than those earning $50,000 or more.

Factors like housing instability, food insecurity, and substance abuse increase the prevalence of risky behaviors, including transactional sex — exchanging sex for money, goods, or housing.

Race and Sex Addiction Rates

Research shows that race and ethnicity can also influence the likelihood of experiencing compulsive sexual behavior.

Black people are 2.5 times more likely to report clinically significant distress from difficulty managing sexual urges than white people. Hispanic people are 1.84 times more likely, and those of other racial backgrounds are 2.02 times more likely.

Statistics on Sex Addiction & Co-Occurring Disorders

Sex addiction often overlaps with conditions like mood disorders, impulse control disorders, and addictive behaviors with drugs.

These co-occurring issues, linked to dopamine dysregulation and poor self-esteem, worsen its negative consequences.

Statistics on sex addiction and co-occurring disorders include:

• Substance use disorders (SUDs): 34%-71% of individuals with sex addiction also have a lifetime history of substance use disorders.
• Major depressive disorder (MDD): 58% of individuals with sex addiction in a specific study were diagnosed with major depression.
• Sexual dysfunction: 46% of people with CSB report sexual impairment.
• Impulse control disorders: Pathological gambling (9%-31%) and compulsive buying (14%-26%) are often reported among those with CSB.
• Childhood abuse history: CSB is more common in those with a history of childhood physical (22%) or sexual abuse (31%).

Statistics on Risk Factors for Sex Addiction

Risk factors increase your risk of developing a sex addiction, though having these risk factors is not a guarantee that you will struggle with sexual behaviors.

Statistics on risk factors for sexual addiction include:

• Substance use disorder (SUD): Research shows a strong link between SUD and sex addiction. 48.5 million Americans aged 12 or older (17.1%) had a SUD in 2023.
• Mental health conditions: Mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are associated with sex addiction. Over 20% of US adults may be living with a mental illness.
• Family conflicts: Most people with a sex addiction come from dysfunctional families. 86.8% were from disengaged families, and 77% from rigid ones.
• Childhood sexual abuse (CSA): CSA significantly raises the risk of developing sex addiction later in life. 39% of men and 63% of women in sex addiction treatment report a history of CSA.

Sex Addiction Recovery Statistics

Effective sex addiction treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and 12-step programs such as Sex Addicts Anonymous.

A study in Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity tracked 88 married couples over seven years where one partner was recovering from sex addiction. The study found:

• 9% of sex addicts had completed an inpatient program for compulsive sexual behavior.
• 79% of married individuals were actively attending sex addiction support meetings.
• 91% of sex addicts and their partners had engaged in therapy with a counselor.
• The average recovery time was 4 years, with recovery time ranging from two months to 14 years.

And among those in recovery:

• 38% had less than two years in recovery.
• 28% were in recovery for two to five years.
• 34% had achieved at least five years of recovery.

Getting Help for Sex Addiction

You may recognize the signs of sex addiction. Or, maybe your sexual fantasies and sexual experiences are impacting your or your loved one’s well-being, and it’s time to seek professional help.

Effective treatment options, including psychotherapy and support from compassionate mental health professionals, can help you regain control and improve your quality of life.

Contact us today to begin your journey toward sex addiction recovery.