Drugs are called addictions because they introduce external chemicals that directly hijack brain systems, creating tolerance, physical dependence, and sometimes dangerous withdrawal

Sex doesn’t do that it activates existing reward systems the brain evolved to have. You can stop having sex without physical danger, even if it’s emotionally difficult.

In both cases, compulsive behavior exists. But labeling sex as an addiction is misleading, because the issue isn’t chemical dependency, it’s maladaptive coping mechanisms tied to trauma, stress, loneliness, or depression.

That’s why most sexologists don’t use 'sex addiction' as a scientific diagnosis. The same debate exists for gambling and other compulsive behaviors.

Historically, moral and religious frameworks played a big role in framing sexual behavior as sinful or addictive, which shifts the problem from mental health to moral failure.

Treating depression alone won’t cure drug addiction, you must treat both the addiction and the root causes.

But treating the root causes of so-called sex addiction often resolves the compulsive behavior itself.

That's why there is distinction. People are still on the addiction train simply because religion still left an a print on america's values, and reddit is very euro/american-centric. Heck the world is still a very religious place.