Is masturbation always a sin?

Is it always natural?

Is it always an addiction?

Answer: none of the above.

In the field of sex addiction, nothing is more misunderstood than masturbation.

Is eating always a sin?

Is it always natural?

Is it always an addiction?

Answer: none of the above.

Although eating starts out as a natural experience, it can become an addiction. Masturbation like any other natural experience can also become addictive.

Not every person who masturbates is addicted to it. But, if you are addicted to masturbation, you've developed a sexual addiction.

Hopefully, you aren't sexually addicted. If you are, don't look at yourself as if you are an evil pervert. Don't drown yourself in shame. Look at sexual addiction as a personal problem. Be glad you are aware of it. Be glad you want to do something about it.

If there is any addiction that is virtually denied on all levels it is compulsive masturbation.

It is socially acceptable and even encouraged for people to admit other addictions like alcohol, drugs, eating, work, fetishes, promiscuity, phone sex, etc. But the person addicted to masturbation is shunned. In fact, in most cases s/he will be told, "You're not addicted. Masturbation is just another form of sex. Don't worry about it."

Most people discover masturbation in puberty. Some don't discover it until their early adulthood. Along with their discovery of masturbation they encounter the fear mongering that tells them, "Masturbation is a sin." "Masturbation will make you go blind." "Masturbation is not natural," and other misinformed rants.

The advice offered by the defenders of masturbation is just as foolish. The advice can be summed up in one phrase: "If it feels good, do it." They refuse to admit that masturbation can be used addictively. The profession in most denial about addictive masturbation is psychotherapy. For a very long time addicted masturbators have told their therapists, "I have a problem with masturbation." The advice given was, "Masturbation is natural. You don't have a problem."

But eating is also natural; so is work. They can be used addictively and so can masturbation.

One problem with addictive masturbation is that it is non-relationship sex. Instead of healthy, loving sex with another person, compulsive masturbation leads to shallow, fantasy-based sex alone.

Some addicted masturbators completely avoid intimate relationships. Most seek out intimacy and discover that their addiction to having sex alone conflicts with their need for genuine, loving intimacy.

Unlike other sexual addictions, it can be difficult to determine if masturbation is being used addictively. The Sexual Addiction Interview and The Most Personal Addiction will help you decide. For a discussion of the relationship between a masturbation addiction and pornography addiction, read Pornography Addiction Insights for Men and Women.