Our intensive sex addiction programme focuses on both the behavioural and psychological aspects of the condition with cutting-edge, evidence-based techniques. We deliver luxury-level of care through customised therapeutic interventions and ongoing support, aiding you in managing your impulses and building healthier relationships to achieve a more content lifestyle, free from compulsive sexual urges.
Personalised care in a real-life setting for best results
Our clinic, internationally renowned for its success in treating sex addiction, employs advanced therapy methods, offering discreet support. Our purposefully chosen location within a hotel provides a realistic setting that helps you tackle post-rehab challenges. Under the careful supervision of our medical and clinical team, this unique approach significantly reduces the risk of relapse and ensures a smoother transition to everyday life.
Central to our strategy is our team of experienced recovery counsellors, each having personally conquered addiction and sustained recovery for over a decade. Their extensive experience allows them to offer deep insights, enhancing your treatment journey with their shared stories and achievements.
Acknowledging that the journey to recovery does not end with rehab, our Continuing Care programme is designed to foster long-term well-being. With ongoing support and resources, we help you continue building a life free from sex addiction.
Arrange a Consultation
Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step towards recovery with NEOVIVA.
The advantages of private addiction treatment are extensive, providing a route to a healthier and more rewarding life. At NEOVIVA, our distinctive approach marries scientifically proven techniques with empathetic care, delivering a suite of tangible benefits that significantly impact and enhance your healing journey:
Personalised Treatment Plans – Never one-size-fits-all, our treatment plans address your unique needs, ensuring targeted and effective care.
Cutting-Edge Therapies – We employ the latest evidence-based methods and innovative treatments, such as rTMS, to facilitate long-term recovery.
Relapse Prevention Strategies – Recognising addiction as a chronic condition, we provide you with the tools and strategies needed to manage triggers and develop healthy coping skills.
Peaceful Healing Environment – Our breathtaking location offers a calming backdrop that greatly enhances the recovery experience.
Junior Suites – Our high-end lakeview suites offer comfort and privacy, featuring amenities that rival those of a luxury resort.
Engaging Activities – Engaging in guided nature walks, mindfulness practices, or Shinrin Yoku helps you connect with your environment and encourages introspection.
Long-lasting Care – Our multidisciplinary team offers comprehensive support, encompassing all aspects of your physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
Meet the key members of staff who will help you on your journey to recovery.
Mayte Parada
Clinical Lead
Originally from Canada, Mayte lived, studied, and worked in Toronto and Montreal. Her passion lies in helping people gain insight into their behaviours and to inspire change in their lives.
At NEOVIVA, our therapists are here to help manage your sex addiction. We treat the underlying causes of your compulsive sexual behaviour, utilising individual and group psychotherapeutic approaches to look at how traumatic experiences and childhood events have structured your interpersonal relationships and the presence of negative emotions such as shame. We also offer medical interventions such as psychiatric management and rTMS to reduce the intensity of compulsive sexual urges.
Frequently Asked Questions
About sex addiction
What is sex addiction?
Sexual addiction also known as compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB) describes a condition marked by compulsive seeking, observing, or engaging in sexual activities, particularly sexual intercourse, often resorting to extreme measures to fulfil desires or fantasies, despite negative consequences.
Is sex addiction really an addiction?
While experts continue to debate whether compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB) constitutes an addiction, “sexual addiction” is not yet recognised as a distinct disorder in official diagnostic frameworks. Only recently, in 2018, CSB was classified as a mental health disorder in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases list (ICD-11).
However, placed in the section on impulsive disorders rather than addictive disorders, it is characterised by “a persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour.” It is important to note that sexual addiction is not about the number of sexual partners or frequency of sexual encounters but refers to a “central focus of the person’s life to the point of neglecting health and personal care or other interests, activities, and responsibilities.”
What causes sex addiction?
Sex addiction can affect people of all ages and for various reasons. While the precise causes are not fully understood, potential factors may include:
Imbalance of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play a role in mood regulation. When imbalanced, it can impact your sexual desire and behaviour.
Changes in brain pathways. CSB can lead to changes in neural circuits over time, often requiring progressively more intense sexual content and stimulation to achieve satisfaction or relief.
Conditions impacting brain regions controlling sexual behaviour. Conditions like dementia, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder can damage brain areas regulating sexual behaviour. Additionally, certain medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease may induce CSB.
Dual Diagnosis & co-occurring disorders. Those struggling with sex addiction often experience a co-occurring disorder alongside their compulsive behaviour. Depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse are particularly common in this group, as individuals may use drugs or alcohol to alleviate inhibitions, cope with feelings of shame and guilt, or mitigate symptoms of depression.
Childhood experiences. One’s family background and childhood experiences of trauma can deeply influence the development of sex addiction later in life. It’s striking that up to 72% of individuals with sex addiction have experienced physical abuse during childhood, with 81% exposed to sexual abuse. This highlights the significance of addressing unresolved traumas and past emotional pain in the treatment of sex addiction.
About Treatment
Is abstinence required in sex addiction treatment?
During treatment at NEOVIVA, we require abstinence, defined as complete cessation of the addictive behaviour. This abstinence approach is considered the most effective way to treat addiction. The goal of treatment at NEOVIVA, however, is not to repress sexuality but to develop the capacity for healthy sexual relationships. Our clients work with their therapists to identify problematic behaviours and mindset patterns, which must be stopped for a consistent period to help reset their brain, body, and personality away from the drug-like high of sex addiction.
Can't I just take medications to reduce my sex drive or compulsiveness?
While there are hormonal medications available that can alter sexual drive by either reducing or increasing it, at NEOVIVA, we believe that achieving healthy sexuality involves more than just medication; it requires a combination of emotional security and psychological wholeness that cannot simply be medicated into existence.
Evidence-based research shows that medication is most effective when combined with comprehensive therapy and behavioural interventions. At NEOVIVA, we prioritise a holistic approach that integrates medication, when necessary, with personalised therapeutic strategies to promote long-term recovery and healthy sexual relationships.
Can sex addiction really be cured?
Many people struggle to overcome sex addiction, often believing it’s untreatable due to its inherent connection to human nature. Unlike alcohol or drug addictions, where the goal is complete abstinence, those with sex addiction usually want to maintain healthy sexual relationships, especially if they are in a committed partnership.
Participating in a programme with an experienced therapist can be transformative. It involves understanding sex addiction, accepting personal challenges, and learning effective control and avoidance strategies. Reclaiming control over one’s life is challenging and requires determination and focus, but with the right support and tools, it is achievable.
