Sexual addiction refers to an obsession with or uncontrollable urges towards sexual activity, often leading to negative consequences in one's life. It is characterized by a persistent and escalating pattern of sexual behavior that becomes increasingly difficult to control despite the harm it causes to oneself or others. This can include excessive masturbation, multiple affairs, frequent use of pornography, prostitution, or other compulsive behaviors. Sexual addiction is often used interchangeably with terms such as sexual compulsion, sexual dependency, and hypersexuality. It is considered a type of process addiction, similar to gambling or drug addiction, where the individual becomes preoccupied with the activity itself rather than its consequences. Treatment for sexual addiction typically involves therapy, support groups, and in some cases medication-assisted treatment.