It can be a way to stay connected to your partner when you’re apart.
For some people, sending sexually explicit material via digital devices might lead to becoming addicted to sexting.
People with a sexting addiction might ignore responsibilities and relationships to engage in this behavior.
Hirurg / E+ / Getty Images
What Is Sexting?
Not all sexting is harmful or addictive.
Couples may exchange sexts as part of their romantic or sexual activity.
Sexting is typically carried out deliberately, with people sending sexts about themselves.
Research has found that 12% of teenagers have forwarded sext messages without consent.
Sexts can also be sent to someone who does not wish to receive sexually explicit material.
Nearly 14% of teenagers report receiving unwanted sexting images.
However, many people have found themselves in trouble over sexually explicit sexts.
In fact, some estimates suggest that online porn addiction and sexting comprise the most common subtype ofinternet addiction.
Sexting can be a symptom or manifestation ofsexual addiction, an illness like other addictions that causes destructive consequences.
For some, sexting is the primary behavior involved insexual addiction.
Similar toother addictions, sexual addiction is progressive.
With that temptation always in hand, people addicted to sexting must be vigilant about relapsing.
CBT focuses on addressing the thoughts, behaviors, and coping mechanisms that play a part in addictive behavior.
Other types ofsex addiction therapycan also be helpful.
Such treatments may involve psychodynamic therapy, exposure therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and couples therapy.
This may includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)to help stabilize moods and manage cravings and obsessions.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Dir AL, Koo C, Cyders MA.Sexting: A new and emerging behavior of risk.
In: Assailly JP, ed.,Psychology of emotions, motivations and actions.
Psychology of risk-taking.New York: Nova Science Publishers; 2013.
2019;143(5):e20183183.
2016;13(5):760777. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.03.002
Counselor Magazine.Sexual addiction: Tolerance and escalation.
2018;60(Suppl 4):S510-S513.
2022;14(9):e29245.
2022;14(6):e25804 doi:10.7759/cureus.25804
