While many studies have proven that engaging in online sexual activities can have little to no negative effect on their daily lives and routines, it is apparent that there are individuals who struggle with its use. Studies have shown that the use of sexual activities on the internet can result in the individual gaining dependence symptoms. In order to develop strategies and methods for treating compulsive online sexual behavior depends on the assessment of the problem itself. Characteristics that are unique to the internet itself can be used as a mechanism in an effort to reduce the power it has to engage in online sexual activity, as well as a way to create treatment options (Putnam, 2000).
In order to properly treat negative online sexual activity, it is first important to assess the impairments and negative qualities that effect the users daily routine. Author Dana Putnam created what is known as the Online Sexual Addiction Questionnaire as a heuristic tool in order to assess ones difficulties with functioning of compulsive online sexual behavior and the impairments that are associated with its use. Within her questionnaire, Putnam developed categories of behavior related to online sexual addiction that include: life interference, social withdrawal, obsessive-compulsive behavior, tolerance/withdrawal, emotional distress, and impairment (Putnam, 2000). Further, in order to identify focus areas for treatment, the author used domains within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in an effort to give a clinician better guidance as to what they should address for treatment and what stressors are being used to cope with by going online for sexual release and distraction (Putnam, 2000).
As a way to completely depreciate the problem of online sexual arousal, the author identifies that it is prominent to use counter classical conditioning. Suggestions made to further this effort are for the individual to only use the computer and the internet in a safe and protected environment such as libraries, coffee shops, and public work areas that have most sexually explicit areas blocked (Putnam, 2000).
For those individuals that experience severe compulsive use, it is important for those people to avoid using the internet in any shape or form in any environment. Putnam suggests that the best strategy for these types of individuals would be to meet with a therapy counselor that will introduce non-sexual Internet use treatment options. It is also important to incorporate the value of reinforcement into the treatment process. Many of the individuals seeking help for this problem engage in online sexual activity in an effort to escape or be distracted from real world pains/stresses. Therefore, it is important to fulfill this escape with an alternate, equally satisfying relief mechanism (Putnam, 2000).
Treatment options and approaches that are directly targeted at the use of the internet and online functions are still being developed through research.
Additional Information:
www.cybersexualaddiction.com/sexual-addiction-self-tests/cybersex-addiction-test/