Sex Addiction Test: 10 Questions to Find Out if You Need Support

What Does the Assessment Measure?

The Sex Addiction Test assesses behaviors, attitudes, and consequences related to problematic sexual behavior.

Sample areas assessed in the questionnaire include:

• Use of online pornography or cybersex
  
• Frequency of masturbation or sexual fantasies
  
• Difficulty maintaining intimate relationships
  
• Secrecy or dishonesty around sexual behavior
  
• Patterns of acting out in response to stress or trauma
  
• Use of sex to manage emotions, avoid problems, or seek validation
  

This assessment is not a diagnostic tool, but a red flag system. If your score is high, it may suggest a need for further evaluation by a healthcare provider trained in sexual health or psychiatry.

What If You Score High on a Sex Addiction Test?

A high score on a sex addiction screening test can feel overwhelming, but it isn’t a verdict. It’s a cue to pause, reflect, and consider what support might help you regain balance.

Here’s what you can do next:

1. Talk to a licensed mental health professional, ideally someone trained in addictive behaviors, trauma, or impulse control.
   
2. Explore treatment centers that specialize in sexual addiction, including outpatient or inpatient options.
   
3. Join a support group, such as Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), or SMART Recovery.
   
4. Consider co-occurring issues like love addiction, depression, trauma, or ADHD, which may contribute to compulsive sexual behavior.
   
5. Get medically evaluated if you’re experiencing distress, mental health issues, or if the behaviors have led to legal or relational consequences.
   

Healing is not about eliminating sexual desire; it’s about restoring healthy, intentional behavior grounded in consent, connection, and respect.

Who Should Take a Sex Addiction Test?

Not everyone who engages in frequent sexual activity has an addiction. But you may benefit from taking a self-test if:

• You feel out of control around sexual urges or behaviors
  
• You’ve experienced relationship conflicts, job issues, or emotional distress related to sex
  
• You’ve tried and failed to reduce or stop certain sexual behaviors
  
• You rely on sex to escape feelings of loneliness, anger, or low self-worth
  
• You’re concerned about your use of pornography, cybersex, or casual encounters
  

If any of this resonates, the test can offer a roadmap for what comes next.

How Is Sex Addiction Diagnosed?

Currently, “sex addiction” is not formally recognized as a standalone disorder in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). However, clinicians may diagnose related conditions such as:

• Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), recognized by the World Health Organization
  
• Impulse control disorders
  
• Hypersexual behavior, noted in some psychiatric evaluations
  

A mental health professional may use a combination of:

• Clinical interviews
  
• Self-report questionnaires like the SAST or CSAT (Compulsive Sexual Behavior Assessment Tool)
  
• Evaluation of co-occurring conditions (e.g., depression, trauma, anxiety)
  

While the language and labels may differ, the goal is always the same: relief from suffering and a return to healthy functioning.

When Sexual Behavior Harms Mental Health

Unchecked compulsive sexual behavior can lead to serious consequences—emotionally, relationally, and legally. Some examples include:

• Breakdown of trust in intimate relationships
  
• Increased shame, secrecy, or double life
  
• Health risks due to unsafe sex practices
  
• Financial or legal problems, particularly related to pornography or sex work
  
• Loss of meaning or self-worth, especially when sex becomes a coping mechanism
  

Treatment is not just about abstinence—it’s about learning new ways to cope, connect, and care for yourself without relying on destructive patterns.

What the Sex Addiction Test Can and Cannot Do

What it can do:

• Offer insight into your current sexual behaviors and patterns
  
• Identify signs that may point toward a larger issue
  
• Motivate you to seek help or further evaluation
  

What it cannot do:

• Provide a medical or psychiatric diagnosis
  
• Account for personal history, trauma, or cultural influences
  
• Replace a conversation with a qualified mental health professional
  

Self-assessments are helpful tools, but they’re most powerful when paired with care and support.

Sexual behavior becomes problematic when it begins to interfere with your ability to live a connected, balanced, and healthy life. If you’re questioning whether your urges or habits feel out of control, the sex addiction test can be the first step toward awareness and healing.

You are more than your cravings, more than your behaviors. Recovery is possible and there are compassionate professionals and communities ready to help you reclaim control, rebuild relationships, and redefine what intimacy means to you.

Resources and Next Steps

• Sex addiction treatment centers near you
• Porn Addiction: 9 Signs and How It Impacts Your Well-Being
  
• Does Couples Counseling Work? 7 Proven Benefits When Both Partners Commit
  

External Resources:

• International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP)
  
• Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
  
• SMART Recovery for Problematic Sexual Behavior
  
• National Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA)
  

FAQs

Q: Is sex addiction a real diagnosis?

A: While not listed in the DSM-5, many clinicians recognize compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexual disorder as a legitimate mental health condition. The World Health Organization includes it under impulse control disorders.

Q: Can I have a problem even if I’m in a relationship?

A: Yes. Compulsive sexual behavior can affect people in all relationship statuses. It’s not about how often you have sex—it’s about whether it feels out of control, harmful, or emotionally distressing.

Q: How is the SAST different from other tests?

A: The SAST is a widely used screening tool based on clinical research and behavioral patterns. It differs from casual online quizzes because it reflects validated criteria associated with sexual addiction and compulsivity.

Q: What if I just enjoy sex a lot—is that bad?

A: High sexual desire doesn’t necessarily indicate addiction. The key is whether your behavior leads to negative consequences, loss of control, or emotional pain.

Q: Should I avoid all sexual activity if I suspect addiction?

A: Not necessarily. Some people pursue abstinence during early recovery, while others work toward healthy sexual expression through therapy. A treatment plan should reflect your goals, needs, and values.

Q: Can therapy really help with sex addiction?

A: Yes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and specialized approaches like those developed by Patrick J. Carnes have been shown to help reduce symptoms and restore well-being.