90-year-old sex addict is treated in hospital

A SEX ADDICT in their 90s was one of nearly 100 patients treated in hospital for the condition in the past five years.

Figures from NHS Digital reveal how many hospital patients have had medical problems linked to an “excessive sexual drive”. Last year three patients were in their 80s and two in their 70s.the oldest from the previous year was in their 90s.

The condition is characterised by a “compulsive engagement in sexual activity, regardless of any negative consequences for an individual’s physical and mental health or life circumstances”.

Hollywood actor Michael Douglas admitted to having it when his first marriage failed due to his serial adultery. Sufferers often spend all their time thinking about, planning, seeking out and having sexual intercourse. It so consumes them that it often leads to the breakdown of their relationships and can cause havoc in their work lives.

In the past five years there were 95 hospital appointments where medics recorded sex addiction as being either the main problem or a contributory factor to another medical issue – 69 patients were men and 26 were women. Most were in their 40s and 50s.

Nuno Albuquerque, from the UK Addiction

Treatment Group, said: “The idea of someone being addicted to sex may seem implausible but it is as real an addiction as drug addiction.

“Sex can come to fill a person’s waking life. They develop a physical and psychological compulsive need to seek, observe or engage in sexual behaviour, despite any negative consequences.

“It can happen to anyone, of any sex, at any age. It is not dirty or shameful but often stems from abuse suffered during childhood, family dysfunction, hormones or biochemical imbalances.

“If sex has taken over your life and you feel you have lost the power of choice, please speak to a professional. It is more common than you think.”