Does Change Trigger Your Addiction Issues?

May 21, 2021 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you tend to struggle with change? Do you hate that unsettled feeling of knowing something you’ve counted on staying the same is suddenly going away? Even knowing something as awful as the pandemic may be ebbing away can fill you with a sense of dread along with the excitement of being able to get out more? Does change tend to worsen your compulsive or addictive sexual behavior, too? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, read on.

The Blessing and Curse of Ambivalence

March 16, 2021 Scott Kampschaefer

Have you ever wanted to change something about yourself or your life, but been gripped by overwhelming fear or apprehension? Have you ever made some decision to give up a bad habit or addiction, but then wound up relapsing within a relatively short period of time? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you have experienced ambivalence. As bad as it may feel, it can be a blessing in disguise.

Listen to my interview with Noah Garcia, LPC-S on the Next Quest Podcast!

February 23, 2021 Scott Kampschaefer

https://nextquest.podbean.com/e/scott-kampschaefer-lcsw-s-on-addiction/

When Transparency is Necessary in Relationships

January 5, 2021 Scott Kampschaefer

We all hear the cry for the need for ‘greater transparency’ with respect to our elected leaders, government officials, and corporate executives. Do we feel like we deserve the same from our partners and spouses? Sometimes it can be necessary to have transparency in our relationships, especially if trust has been broken. It’s a two-edged sword that should be used very carefully, though.

The Insidious Connection Between Shame and Addiction

November 9, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

Have you ever felt bad about yourself and wound up drinking too much or bingeing on something like food, porn, or something equally unhealthy? If that bad feeling is the often overlooked feeling of shame, then you’ve found something that lies at the heart of many people’s addictions.

Duplicity and Sex Addiction

September 9, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you ever feel like you live a double-life? Do you often feel like you show one face to the world and another that you actually experience? Does this tend to happen in your romantic or sexual relationships, in particular? If this describes you, you probably suffer from duplicity as a symptom of addictive or compulsive sexual behavior.

Sexual Health Is More Than Protection from STI's

June 29, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

If you think the only thing you need to do to have sexual health is to be protected from STI’s, you’ve been out of the loop for way too long. Not only are we in the middle of the biggest pandemic in over 100 years, but we have moved away from a concept of sexual health as being just about protection from STI’s and unwanted pregnancy.

The Relationship Between Attachment Style and Sexual Compulsion

May 25, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you have a problem with porn use or other sexual behaviors and wonder what caused them? The answer may lie as far back as the crib, because depending on whether you have attachment issues or not, you may be at a greater risk of sexual compulsion than not.

5 Things You Can Do to Cope with Sex Addiction During Coronavirus

April 22, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

If anyone needed an excuse to isolate, Coronavirus provide the perfect reason. If you suffer from compulsive or addictive sexual behavior, it can be a double-edged sword. You may wonder about whether you can see partners during this time, or if Coronavirus is like HIV in any way. I’ll answer these questions and more, so please read on!

Adverse Childhood Experiences and How They Can Lead to Addiction

March 31, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

Have you suffered from childhood trauma and wondered why life seems so hard, especially compared to others in your life? Do you wonder why you have such a tendency to overdo it with alcohol or other drugs? The answer lies in your ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Score), but before you rush to find out what it is you should learn more about it and how it can affect all kinds of health conditions up and down the line.

3 Signs You're Using Sex as Self-Medication

January 21, 2020 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you find yourself turning to porn or compulsive sexual behavior after an upsetting event and wonder ‘How did I get here?’ Do you sometimes find yourself feeling numb after engaging in compulsive sexual behavior, or even worse...feeling guilty or ashamed? These are a few of the signs of using sex as self-medication.

Triggers for Compulsive Behavior and 5 Ways to Cope With Them

October 29, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Have you ever wondered why you wind up engaging in compulsive behavior? Do you find yourself asking how you got here after bingeing on porn or some substance you know you should give up? Well, read on because you suffer from being triggered and this is one blog you need to read.

How Image Transformation Therapy Helps with Sexual Compulsion

September 26, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you have problems controlling your sexual behavior? Do you look at porn for hours and hours and despite your best intentions wind up falling right back into the same trap over and over again. Or do you swear to your spouse you’ll never go back to strip clubs only to wind up doing it despite your best intentions? If this sounds like you, then keep reading.

How Self-Pity Fuels Addiction

August 7, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Have you ever wished others cared more about you? Have you felt neglected or uncared for at times, and wondered if you really mattered to others? If you have addiction issues, these feelings could leave you vulnerable to relapse. Read on to find out how.

Am I Polyamorous or Just Addicted to Sex?

June 17, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Are you someone who tends to have multiple sexual partners, and wonders if this is strange or not? Do you have trouble keeping track of who you are having sex with due to sheer numbers or other factors, like substance use? No matter which of these is the case, you would do well to keep on reading, because it depends which of these questions you may have answered yes to.

The Vicious Cycle of Isolation and Sex Addiction

May 6, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Are you someone who feels like you have to hide your sexual behavior from others, either because you have to or because you feel a lot of shame about it? If you get caught up in lies about what you do and who you do it with, you may very well be suffering from a lot of isolation and addictive sexual behavior without knowing it.

What's the Difference Between High Libido and Sex Addiction?

February 19, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Are you someone who wonders why you seem to want to have sex more than others you know? Do you think you are somehow odd for wanting to have sex as much as you do? Do you wonder if you might have sex addiction or compulsion because of this? If any of these questions pertains to you, this blog post is for you.

Treating Sexual Shame in Group Therapy

January 15, 2019 Scott Kampschaefer

Do you suffer from a feeling there is something wrong with you due to your sexual behavior? Does this feeling wash over you in situations and make you want to run and hide? If this is the case with you, you might think attending a therapy group for improving your sexual behavior is the last thing for you. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.

5 Reasons Why It's So Hard to Break Sexual Compulsion

December 6, 2018 Scott Kampschaefer

Are you someone who finds yourself repeating the same unhealthy sexual behavior even though you know it’s not good to keep doing it? Do you make plans to stop, swear it off, or tell your partner “I’ll never do it again” only to wind up in the same mess time after time? Well, you may very well be dealing with sexual compulsion, and I’ll explain why it can be so hard to break out of it.