Substance Use and Compulsive Sexual Behavior. Comprehensive treatment is recommended for multiple addictions.

1. Substance Use &
Compulsive Sexual Behaviors
A copy of this presentation is located at:
wyattgroup.biz/presentation

2. Credentials
wyattgroup.biz/biography.html
Dr. Vicki Harris Wyatt
PhD – Family Relations & Child Development, OSU
LPC, LADC, CSAT, CHFP, EMDR, AACC
DUI Certification, Neurofeedback, and others…

3. Intensive
Recovery
6 months of counseling
in just 3 days!

4. Objectives
• Understanding Addiction Interaction
Disorder
• Understanding interaction between
compulsive sexual behavior and
substance abuse

5. What is the most difficult aspect of
treating chemical dependency?
(Results of a survey of CSAT’s)

6. Top 5 Results
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Denial
Relapse
No resources for treatment
Forced sobriety/reluctance
Co-occurring disorders/multiple
addictions
6. Toxic support system/family problems

7. Other difficulties identified…
1. Dealing with cravings
2. Dealing with physiological
problems/brain changes/Post Acute
Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
3. Shame
4. Dishonesty

8. Which population is more
difficult to treat, sex addiction or
chemical dependency?
(Results of a survey of CSAT’s)

9. 59%: Sex Addiction is harder to treat
1.
2.
3.
4.
Social Stigma/Shame
Secrets/Deception
Relationships damaged more
Ambiguity of bottom lines/ difficulty defining
sobriety
5. 12-Step sex addiction fellowships less mature,
scarce
6. Resistance to group work
7. Legal problems

10. 41%: Chemical Dependency
is more difficult to treat
1. Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)/
Brain healing
2. Less resource for treatment/ lower SES
3. Denial/ resistances
4. Cultural acceptance of D & A usage
5. Numb to losses
6. Burnt out support system

12. Addiction Interaction Disorder
Addictions more than coexist;
they interact, reinforce, become
part of one another; they
become packages.

13. Cross Tolerance
A. Simultaneous increase in
addictive behavior in two or
more addictions.
B. Transfer of a high level of
addictive activity with little or no
development sequence.

14. Withdrawal Mediation
One addiction serves to
moderate, relieve, or avoid
withdrawal from another.

16. WHAT IS SEX ADDICTION?
"Like an alcoholic unable to stop drinking, sexual addicts
are unable to stop their self-destructive sexual behavior.
Family breakups, financial disaster, loss of jobs, and risk to
life are the painful themes of their stories.
- Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D.
Author of Out of the Shadows
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

17. • Sexual addiction is defined as any sexuallyrelated, compulsive behavior which interferes
with normal living and causes severe stress on
family, friends, loved ones, and one's work
environment.
Source: www.SexHelp.com
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

18. WHAT DEFINES A SEX ADDICT?
• No single behavior pattern defines sexual
addiction.
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

19. 1. Acting out: a pattern of out-of-control sexual
behavior.
2. Experiencing severe consequences due to sexual
behavior, and an inability to stop despite these
adverse consequences.
3. Persistent pursuit of self-destructive behavior.
4. Ongoing desire or effort to limit sexual behavior.
5. Sexual obsession and fantasy as a primary coping
strategy.
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

20. 6. Regularly increasing the amount of sexual
experience because the current level of activity is
no longer sufficiently satisfying.
7. Severe mood changes related to sexual activity.
8. Inordinate amounts of time spent obtaining sex,
being sexual, and recovering from sexual
experiences.
9. Neglect of important social, occupational, or
recreational activities because of sexual behavior.
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

22. SEXUAL DEPENDENCY VS. OTHER ADDICTIONS
•
•
•
Sexual addiction can be understood by comparing it to other types of
addictions. Individuals addicted to alcohol or other drugs, for example,
develop a relationship with their “chemical(s) of choice” – a relationship that
takes precedence over any and all other aspects of their lives. Addicts find
they need drugs merely to feel normal.
In sexual addiction, a parallel situation exists. Sex – like food or drugs in other
addictions—provides the "high" and addicts become dependent on this sexual
high to feel normal. They substitute unhealthy relationships for healthy ones.
They opt for temporary pleasure rather than the deeper qualities of "normal"
intimate relationships.
Sexual addiction follows the same progressive nature of other addictions.
Sexual addicts struggle to control their behaviors, and experience despair over
their constant failure to do so. Their loss of self-esteem grows, fueling the
need to escape even further into their addictive behaviors. A sense of
powerlessness pervades the lives of addicts.
©2013 Patrick J. Carnes, PhD /

24. BRAIN ACTIVATION DURING SEXUAL AROUSAL
Activated region
Normal Volunteer
Non activated region

25. Comprehensive Treatment Approach
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Twelve Step Meetings
Sponsor
Inpatient/Residential Treatment
Family Participation
Family Recovery/Therapy
Couples/Marriage Recovery/Therapy
Exercise/ Nutrition
Medication Management

27. Additional Information

28. SexHelp
For additional information about
Dr. Patrick Carnes, links to other resources,
current topics in research, and popular literature, go to:
www.SexHelp.com