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ORIGINAL: graceadieu

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ORIGINAL: crwlon4

Here is an anomaly for me. I was attracted/craved BDSM long before I ever actually experienced it. In some ways (and those questions are a little scary) I would say addicted, but can you be addicted to something at 13 without ever even doing it?

Hah, yeah, that is rather the difference isn't it? In an addiction, you do the drug and then you get addicted and crave it, but with this stuff the craving is (often) already there, and doing is just confirmation and fulfillment.

I know I've always been mostly aroused by helplessness and power dynamics, even before I was sexually active. Ordinary romantic vanilla sex for me is... nice, intimate, but usually not a whole whole lot more pleasurable than kissing. I don't think that's normal? But it was always that way for me.

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ORIGINAL: chelita30

I've read the term 'sub frenzy' a few times on this forum, and did a little google search to find out more. Yep. I've experienced that! During my investigations, I came across the following:

"I should also mention that the experiences within the relationship are in many ways addictive. The state of natural euphoria that a submissive may experience during a scene can set off a hunger to experience that again. This is identical to the introduction of any addictive drug chemistries into the body, the same symptomology in many ways" (http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Lets-Discuss-Dominance-And-Submission/1906212)

Is BDSM really addictive in the same way as drugs can be? Is BDSM 'addiction' a bad thing? Could you live without BDSM if it were outlawed tomorrow? I'll be honest, I'm pretty sure I would be going underground rather than giving it up...

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ORIGINAL: chelita30

Is BDSM really addictive in the same way as drugs can be?

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ORIGINAL: kalikshama

From http://yourbrainonporn.com/your-brain-on-porn-series and http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/definition-of-addiction.htm

Answer yes or no to the following seven questions.

1. Tolerance. Has your use increased over time?

2. Withdrawal. When you stop using, have you ever experienced physical or emotional withdrawal?

3. Difficulty controlling your use. Do you sometimes use more or for a longer time than you would like?

4. Negative consequences. Have you continued to use even though there have been negative consequences to your mood, self-esteem, health, job, or family?

5. Neglecting or postponing activities. Have you ever put off or reduced social, recreational, work, or household activities because of your use?

6. Spending significant time or emotional energy. Have you spent a significant amount of time obtaining, using, concealing, planning, or recovering from your use? Have you spend a lot of time thinking about using? Have you ever concealed or minimized your use? Have you ever thought of schemes to avoid getting caught?

7. Desire to cut down. Have you sometimes thought about cutting down or controlling your use? Have you ever made unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control your use?

If you answered yes to at least 3 of these questions, then you meet the medical definition of addiction. This definition is based on the of American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) and the World Health Organization (ICD-10) criteria.(1)

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ORIGINAL: chelita30

...'sub frenzy'...addictive. The state of natural euphoria that a submissive may experience during a scene can set off a hunger to experience that again.

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Is BDSM really addictive in the same way as drugs can be?

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ORIGINAL: MasterSlaveLA
Anything can be "addictive"... it depends on the individual.

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ORIGINAL: kalikshama
.............. Answer yes or no to the following seven questions.

1. Tolerance. Has your use increased over time?
Nope, been full throttle from the beginning.

2. Withdrawal. When you stop using, have you ever experienced physical or emotional withdrawal?
Yup. I miss the intimate bond leather provides. I also miss having good orgasms very much.

3. Difficulty controlling your use. Do you sometimes use more or for a longer time than you would like?
Nope - 24/7 TPE lifestyle is just the right amount of time.

4. Negative consequences. Have you continued to use even though there have been negative consequences to your mood, self-esteem, health, job, or family?
Nope - everyone is my business, family and personal life is BDSM and poly friendly.

5. Neglecting or postponing activities. Have you ever put off or reduced social, recreational, work, or household activities because of your use?
Nope - not for BDSM alone. Now sex is another thing. Sometimes a weekend retreat gets stretched out to Tuesday. However, I own the company and don't plan on firing myself for taking an extra day of pleasure now and then.

6. Spending significant time or emotional energy. Have you spent a significant amount of time obtaining, using, concealing, planning, or recovering from your use? Have you spend a lot of time thinking about using? Have you ever concealed or minimized your use? Have you ever thought of schemes to avoid getting caught?
Nope - no undue concealing, planning, or recovering from. Now financially, that is another matter. I have driven a used car while I had enough invested in gear to buy a brand new car.

7. Desire to cut down. Have you sometimes thought about cutting down or controlling your use? Have you ever made unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control your use?
Nope - the only cutting I want to do involves sharp knives and pretty girls with big boobs.

If you answered yes to at least 3 of these questions, then you meet the medical definition of addiction. This definition is based on the of American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) and the World Health Organization (ICD-10) criteria.(1)