Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?
- Authors
- Kraus, S. W., Voon, V., & Potenza, M. N.
- Year
- 2016
- Journal
- Addiction
- Type
- Conceptual / review paper
- Last verified
- 2026-10-04
Main question
Should compulsive sexual behaviour be classified as an addiction?
Related claims
Summary
Kraus, Voon, and Potenza (2016) published a widely cited review asking whether compulsive sexual behaviour should be classified as an addiction. They reviewed neurobiological and clinical parallels with substance-use and gambling disorders.
Their conclusion
The authors concluded that some people’s compulsive sexual behaviour shows addiction-like features, but that the evidence was not yet strong enough to justify formal classification as an addiction. This measured position is a useful reference point for the behavioural addiction debate.
Findings
- Reviews the evidence for and against classifying compulsive sexual behaviour as a behavioural addiction.
- Concludes that the evidence is suggestive of addiction-like features in some people but is not yet definitive.
- Notes parallels with substance-use and gambling disorders while flagging gaps in the evidence base.
Limitations
- Position/review paper reflecting the evidence available at the time.
- verification needed (DOI/PMID not recorded)
Clinical relevance
Informs classification and treatment framing.
Relevance to problematic pornography use
A key reference in the behavioural addiction debate.