Virtual sex addiction: When cybersex becomes the drug of choice
Abstract
This article explores how the concepts of cybersex and sexual addiction overlap. Sexual addiction is explained briefly to provide the reader with the necessary information to understand how this overlap may occur. Examination of data from recent studies in cybersex are presented. In addition, several cybersex case examples are provided to illuminate numerical findings with real-life clinical examples. Recommendations for future research are presented along with the Internet Sex Screening Test to help assess whether someone may need help with their cybersexual addiction.
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Some sexually addicted patients report withdrawal symptoms, including on occasion similar to those of drug, even cocaine, addiction.
“Some sexually addicted patients report withdrawal symptoms, including on occasion similar to those of drug, even cocaine, addiction (Antonio et al., 2017;Chaney and Dew, 2003;Delmonico and Carnes, 1999;Garcia and Thibaut, 2010;Goodman, 2008;Griffiths, 2004;Paz et al., 2021;Schneider, 1991Schneider, , 1994)).”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Delmonico and Carnes, 1999
In reality, there are numerous reports of sexual arousal and pleasure, even extreme pleasure, from sexually addictive activities.
“In reality, there are numerous reports of sexual arousal and pleasure, even extreme pleasure, from sexually addictive activities (e.g.Bostwick and Bucci, 2008;Delmonico and Carnes, 1999;Firoozikhojastehfar et al., 2021;Levi et al., 2020;Reid et al., 2015;Schwartz and Abramowitz, 2003).”
From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Delmonico and Carnes, 1999
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The Association between Pathological Internet Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Systematic Review
Carli, V., Durkee, T., Wasserman, D., Hadlaczky, G., Despalins, R., Kramarz, E., Wasserman, C., Sarchiapone, M., Hoven, C. W., Brunner, R., et al. (2013) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000337971 · Cited by 639 · see citing works
Grubbs, J. B., Perry, S. L., Wilt, J. A., & Reid, R. C. (2019) · Archives of Sexual Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1248-x · Cited by 394 · see citing works
Moral incongruence and pornography use: a critical review and integration
Grubbs, J. B., & Perry, S. L. (2019) · The Journal of Sex Research · doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1427204 · Cited by 262 · see citing works
Grubbs, J. B., Hoagland, K. C., Lee, B. N., Grant, J. T., Davison, P., Reid, R. C., & Kraus, S. W. (2020) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101925 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
Gola, M., Lewczuk, K., & Skorko, M. (2016) · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.02.169 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
Schneider, J. P., Weiss, R., & Samenow, C. (2012) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity · doi:10.1080/10720162.2012.658344 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Cybersex Addiction Among College Students: A Prevalence Study
Giordano, A. L., & Cashwell, C. S. (2017) · Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity · doi:10.1080/10720162.2017.1287612 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept
Toates, F. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104872 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…sexually addicted patients report withdrawal symptoms, including on occasion similar to those of drug, even cocaine, addiction (Antonio et al., 2017; Chaney and Dew, 2003; Delmonico and Carnes, 1999; Garcia and Thibaut, 2010; Goodman, 2008; Griffiths, 2004; Paz et al., 2021; Schneider, 1991, 1994).”
BackgroundImpacts of Sexual Addiction on Intimate Female Partners—The State of the Art
Seyed Aghamiri, F., Luetz, J. M., & Hills, K. (2022) · Sexual Health & Compulsivity · doi:10.1080/26929953.2022.2050862 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Aghamiri, F. S., Luetz, J. M., & Hills, K. (2022) · Journal of Addictive Diseases · doi:10.1080/10550887.2021.2021058 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Seyed Aghamiri, F., Luetz, J. M., & Hills, K. (2025) · Sexuality Research and Social Policy · doi:10.1007/s13178-024-01043-x · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“The rise of digital technology and easy access to online por-nography has led to increased sexual addiction (SA) and compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB) (Delmonico & Carnes, 1999; Futrell, 2021; Schneider, 2005; Wéry & Billieux, 2017).”
- Authors
- DELMONICO, D. L., & CARNES, P. J.
- Affiliations
- Duquesne University (US)
- ORCID
- DELMONICO, DAVID L.
- Venue
- CyberPsychology & Behavior
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1999-10
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 457-463
- ISSN
- 1094-9313 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-8364
- OpenAlex
- W2134918744
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- CyberPsychology & Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Keywords
- cybersex, sexual addiction, virtual sex, online sexual behavior, addiction assessment, clinical examples
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