Abstract
The current study sought to compare treatment outcomes for individuals with a single diagnosis of sexual addiction (SA) to those with comorbid sexual and substance addiction (SA-SUD), and to explore whether these two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Baseline and 6 month follow-up data were collected from adults receiving inpatient residential treatment for SA (n = 21) or for SA-SUD (n = 36) examining sexual impulse control, alcohol and drug use, and quality of life. Both SA and SA-SUD clients experienced significant improvements in self-reported sexual compulsivity and quality of life; however, on average, SA clients had significantly higher levels of compulsive sexual behavior than SA-SUD clients. The findings suggest that the two disorders can be successfully treated concurrently. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Notes
The authors have deliberately used the term “problematic sexual behavior” as a neutral term, as other terms for the disorder, such as sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity, and sexual impulsivity are linked to specific theoretical notions pertaining to etiology and treatment.
The authors have deliberately used the term “problematic sexual behavior” as a neutral term, as other terms for the disorder, such as sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity, and sexual impulsivity are linked to specific theoretical notions pertaining to etiology and treatment.