Drugs and Sexual Effects: Role of Drug Type and Gender

• NCJ Number: 196136
• Journal: Journal o f Substance Abuse Treatment Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2002 Pages: 103-108
• Author(s): Richard A. Rawson Ph.D.; Arnold Washton Ph.D.; Catherine P. Domier B.A.; Chris Reiber Ph.D.
• Editor(s): A. Thomas McLellan Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 6 pages
• Grant Number(s): TI 11440; DA09419
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research Paper
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents research concerning the relationship between the use of psychoactive substances and sexual effects.

Abstract

The authors explored the impact of psychoactive drug use on a subject’s sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and also the gender effects concerning that relationship. Prior research on the topic is referenced, and the state of that research is characterized as producing somewhat inconsistent results concerning the true impact of psychoactive substance on sexual effects, with the type of substance (e.g. stimulant, depressive or hallucinogen) determining the nature of the effect. For the current study data were collected to address obsession, risky behavior treatment implications, and gender differences. Data were collected through a 25 item self-report survey. The authors note that methamphetamine users reported a stronger link between drug use and sexual effects regardless of gender. Cocaine users also showed increased sexual effects, however, these effects were more significant among male cocaine users and were not as pronounced as the impacts noted in methamphetamine users. 3 Tables, 1 figure, 22 references