Comparative Study of Three Levels of Care in a Substance Use Disorder Inpatient Facility on Risk for Sexual Addiction

Abstract

Little research has focused on the risk of sexual addiction within an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment facility. The present study compared the rate and severity of sexual addiction in three chemical dependency units (30-day primary, 30-day relapse, and 90-day extended). A total of 485 participants completed the Sexual Addiction Screening Test-Revised (SAST-R). Demographic variables and substance and psychiatric diagnoses were gathered through patient chart review. Prevalence rates by unit were Primary Care 18%, Relapse 18.6%, and Extended Care 29.0%. Participants in Extended Care had a significantly higher prevalence of being identified as at risk for sexual addiction than either Relapse or Primary Care. Results showed significant differences in scores on the SAST-R in individuals in Extended Care as compared to individuals in either the Primary or Relapse units. Significant gender differences also emerged overall and by unit. Higher rates of diagnoses of certain chemical substances and psychiatric disorders emerged between the individuals at risk for sexual addiction versus those not at risk. This study is the first to explore risk for sexual addiction in inpatient substance use disorder treatment at different levels of care, and it demonstrates the need for further research that can differentiate between substance use disorders and sexual addiction in order to provide early intervention to improve treatment outcomes and prevent relapse.