Sex addiction was first described in the 1970s. Although it represents the very prototype of addiction (loss of freedom, psychic invasion, activity that becomes central, loss of control, continuation of behavior despite negative consequences, marital, financial, psychological, professional, legal and infectious damage), it was not included in the DSM V (revised in 2013), for lack of sufficiently decisive scientific evidence to qualify the disorder as addiction. It does, however, appear in the ICD (International Classification of Diseases), another international classification, under the heading of "excessive sexual drive".

For further information, we recommend that you consult :

- The IFFS (Institut Français de Formation en Sexothérapie) website, with a special section on sex addiction
- The IFAC (Institut Fédératif des Addictions Comportementales) website, with a special page on sex addiction
- The Geneva University Hospitals website, and their special report on addictions
- The website of Dr Sanquer's practice, psychologist and sexologist

For support in cases of addiction, it's important to consult a professional such as a sexologist or addictologist.

Contents validated by the physicians of the Scientific College of the Ramsay Health Foundation.