This cycle describes what happens inside someone who has a sexual addiction. First a pain agent is triggered; it could be any kind of emotional discomfort (i.e.. pain, fear, shame, anger, etc.), it could be unresolved conflict (inner or outer), it could be stress, or it could be the need to connect with another. If the person doesn't take care of the pain agent in a healthy way, he may then move into the second stage of this cycle - disassociation. In this stage, you begin to disassociate or move away from your self and your feelings; a separation begins to take place between your mind and your emotional self.

• http://www.sexaddicthelp.com/Articles/addiction_cycle.htm [0]