Internet Sex Addiction Treated With Naltrexone
Abstract
Malfunctioning of the brain's reward center is increasingly understood to underlie all addictive behavior. Composed of mesolimbic incentive salience circuitry, the reward center governs all behavior in which motivation has a central role, including acquiring food, nurturing young, and having sex. To the detriment of normal functioning, basic survival activities can pale in importance when challenged by the allure of addictive substances or behaviors. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter driving both normal and addictive behavior. Other neurotransmitters modulate the amount of dopamine released in response to a stimulus, with the salience determined by the intensity of the dopamine pulse. Opiates (either endogenous or exogenous) exemplify such modulators. Prescribed for treating alcoholism, naltrexone blocks opiates' capacity to augment dopamine release. This article reviews naltrexone's mechanism of action in the reward center and describes a novel use for naltrexone in suppressing a euphorically compulsive and interpersonally devastating addiction to Internet pornography.
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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 Bostwick and Bucci, 2008
Naltrexone can inhibit uncontrolled dopamine and unbalanced inhibition functions.
“The use of pharmacotherapy in the form of the morphine receptor antagonist, naltrexone, can inhibit uncontrolled dopamine and unbalanced inhibition functions.”
From Cybersex addiction: An overview of the development and treatment of a newly emerging disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [22]
Naltrexone can block morphine receptors, thereby facilitating increased gamma-aminobutyric acid and reducing dopamine through direct and indirect mechanisms, leading to gradual desensitization and reduced addictive behavior.
“Naltrexone can block morphine receptors, thereby facilitating increased gamma-aminobutyric acid and reducing dopamine through direct and indirect mechanisms. This can lead to gradual desensitization and reduced addictive behavior. 22,32”
From Cybersex addiction: An overview of the development and treatment of a newly emerging disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [22]
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References 21 · Cited by 265
- Authors
- Bostwick, J. M., & Bucci, J. A.
- Affiliations
- Mayo Clinic (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bostwick, J. Michael
- ORCID
- Bostwick, J. Michael
- Venue
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-02
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 226-230
- ISSN
- 0025-6196 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2055666871
- Cited by
- 265
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 9.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Keywords
- naltrexone, mesolimbic reward system, dopamine, opioid antagonism, compulsive sexual behavior, addiction treatment
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Erotica, Humans, Male, Naltrexone, Narcotic Antagonists, Sexual Behavior, Behavior, Addictive, Internet
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