Sex addiction on internet treated by naltrexone

Internet sex addiction is fast becoming one of the newer compulsive behaviors with immense health as well as psychosocial implications. Although triggers and manifestations be variable and unique for different individuals, the final neurochemical pathways are probably similar. Hence, one successful treatment modality against one is likely to be successful against other. One such option is naltrexone is an opiate blocker and is currently approved for alcoholism.

Drs. Bostwick and Bucci from the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic Proc Feb 2008) report naltrexone based successful treatment of compulsive internet use for sexual gratifications, both self and virtual as well as spontaneous off-line sexual encounters with others he had met online.

The patient is a 24 year old male who presented complaining of “sexual addiction” that was affecting his job as well as his marital life. He attributed  this habit to his discovery of grandfather’s pornographic material as a child. Prior to online sexual fantasies and encounters, he used to indulge in phone sex on 900-lines. At the same time he felt guilty about his addition since he is a devout Christian.

He had tried multiple treatment modalities including antidepressants, psychotherapy, sexual addicts anonymous, pastoral counseling without any benefit.

He was then started on naltrexone resulting in sustained success at avoiding compulsive internet use. The discontinuation of naltrexone resulted in relapse of internet sexual habit which again resolved on restarting naltrexone.

Do you know of anyone around you who has had addiction problems, especially internet addiction and even more specifically internet based sex addiction. I am interested in knowing how the readers feel about internet based sex adiction in general, its impact on life and this report specifically.