Read why the red light district and online prostitute catalogues make Hong Kong a breeding ground for sex addiction.

How Hong Kong Fuels Sex Addiction

Falling just below flagship sites such as Twitter.com, Microsoft.com, and eBay.com, Sex141 is the 36th most popular website among Hong Kong’s internet users. Of all websites actually based in Hong Kong, the site typically lands at the 10th most-viewed site — one of the reasons why experts believe the city sets an easy path for sex addiction.

What is Sex Addiction?

Sex addiction is defined as a type of process addiction in which compulsive sexual acts light up the “reward centres” of the brain in much the same way as one would see with drug or alcohol addiction. And, just as there are many different types of drugs to which a person can become addicted, there are several types of sex addiction including voyeuristic sex, exhibitionist sex, sex fantasies, anonymous sex and paying for sex.

Sex141 and the Red Light District

Known as the “Wikipedia for whoremongers”, Hong Kong’ Sex141 website displays thousands of detailed profiles of prostitutes at any given time. Each profile will include race, measurements, what she will and will not do, location, nearest transit stop and even a link to Google maps to make finding her as easy as can be. In certain neighbourhoods, you can find hundreds of prostitutes within walking distance 24 hours a day. Users also have the ability to rate the girls and upload photos of them after they have met up with them — sort of like an X-rated TripAdvisor site.

And as if that was not accessible enough, the Wan Chai district is famously known as one of Asia’s most-dedicated red light districts with working girls in high heels and hot pants sitting outside bars just waiting for men to walk by who the girls hope they can convince to come inside, or perhaps offer to be a short-term girlfriend for any man who is not a local. In this area you can also find many massage dens where sex is offered inside at hourly rates.

Now, to a sex addict, accessibility to this many girls at all hours of the day is essentially the equivalent to handing a cocaine addict a kilo of cocaine. The cocaine addict is not going to simply divide the drug into daily or weekly allotments and do it slowly and responsibly. They are more than likely going to go on a bender. And this is exactly what happens to many men who come to Hong Kong for work — and the problem is only exacerbated by the availability of cocaine and alcohol as well.

Alcohol, Drugs and Sex Addiction in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is brimming with expats who have come to work in high-paid jobs in the financial sector, and who are making far more money than they have ever made before.  And, most of these expats will tell you that within just a couple of days of being in the city, they were offered cocaine. Alcohol, of course, is easily accessible at any local watering hole.

The problem with drugs, alcohol and sex all being so accessible, is that it creates an environment of excess — lots of drinking, drugs and women as a way to unwind after a hard week at work can quickly spiral out of control. One man from the U.S. who came to Hong Kong in the 1980’s and was eventually fired from his job and urged to seek help for his alcohol abuse told the South China Morning Post that “Hong Kong is about ‘more’ — more money, more business, more entertainment, taking people out more, travelling more.” And of course, this type of environment fuels addiction because once inside this lifestyle it is hard to get out, and addiction may just sneak up quietly when you are not looking.

How Do I Know if I Have a Sex Addiction?

Many men visiting or staying in Hong Kong may find pleasure in ‘experiencing the women’. And for many men who travel frequently and work long hours, paying for sex may seem like the most convenient option. Some men just prefer the ‘no strings attached’ type of relationship that prostitutes can provide. The point is, that not all men who pay for sex are addicts. So how do you determine when you have crossed the line into addiction?

Just like drug or alcohol addiction, the easiest way to determine whether or not your sexual activity could be considered an addiction is to ask yourself these questions:

  1. Are my sexual relations having a negative impact on my life?
  2. Have I tried to stop and have not been able to?
  3. Are these sexual acts causing me shame?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are that you have or are developing a sex addiction and you should seek advice from a professional addictions counsellor or treatment centre.

Sex Addiction Treatment in Hong Kong

Sex addiction is treated in a similar manner to other addictions, although because complete abstinence from sex for life is unrealistic, there are a few differences when it comes to treating sex addiction. However, the basic layout of the programme is the same.

At The Cabin Hong Kong, we offer an outpatient treatment programme with a flexible schedule. An average of 9 out of 10 of our clients work in mid to senior-level executive positions, and approximately 50% of those are between the ages of 36 and 45 — mainly from Britain, the US and Australia. This is why it is so important to us that we work with our clients to create a recovery programme that fits into even the busiest of lifestyles.

Completely confidential, we can help you get the addiction treatment you need while still meeting your work and family obligations.

If you or someone you know is struggling with any type of addiction, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. The sooner you get help for your addiction, the higher your chance is of a successful recovery. Contact us today for a free phone assessment.

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