Yahoo Lifestyle 
Woman opens up about ‘crippling’ sex addiction
A woman has opened up about how seeking help for her ‘crippling’ addiction to sex and love has seen her able to turn her life around.
Katy Moore admits that her drive to ‘get the guy’ often led to “stalking, obsessive messaging and even jetting to another country”.
“I chased uncommitted guys, I got side-tracked by married men and I used sex to lure anyone in, in the hope they would fall desperately in love with me; when all I really wanted was that closeness with someone, anyone,” Katy revealed in a piece for Whimn.
She says her obsession was ‘crippling’ and would see her remain glued to her phone.
“I’d be physically ill when ignored and increasingly anxious and manipulating in my behaviours,” she said.
She was even admitted to the emergency department after a panic attack once, which finally make her seek help.
After reading up on the topic of love addiction, went to her first Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous meeting, which changed her life.
“I was terrified and ashamed. I felt sick,” she said, about going to her first meeting.
By her second meeting she found the courage to speak and took drastic measures to cure her addiction – she went cold turkey.
“The toughest part of recovery was the initial period of ‘sobriety’,” Katy said, undergoing a four-week period where she had to refrain from any addictive behaviours.
That included no dates, and any communication with the other sex which could lead to flirtation.
“It was hard. It was the loneliest month I’ve experienced I fell into a deep depression and I started thinking about self-harm,” Katy admitted.
“I realised how this addiction had occupied so much of my time that I didn’t know who I was without it. I was in withdrawal.”
However, she said she came out of that period “like a butterfly out of its cocoon”.
While Katy knows she will always struggle with her love addiction – like anyone with any other type of addiction – her life has improved dramatically due to the support she has received from her meetings.
“Those people in those rooms saved my life,” she said. “I saved my life because I took it seriously.”
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
If you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression contact BeyondBlue or PANDA for support.
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