Methamphetamine and Sexual Behavior: An Analysis

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Methamphetamine and Sexual Behavior  An Analysis

• Julie E. Brummer
• UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
• Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human
  Behavior
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• www.methamphetamine.org

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Background Purpose

• Study Aim Examine the relationship between
  substance use and sexual thoughts, feelings, and
  behaviors.
• Limited information is available on how specific
  drugs affect individuals sexual thoughts and
  feelings.
• An extension of Rawson et al.s (2002) study
  which indicated differential effects of drug
  categories on sexual experiences.
• The survey was refined to minimize incomplete
  data.

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Procedure

• In March 2007, and extending for a period of 11
  months, individuals enrolled in treatment at 3
  sites (The Matrix Institute on Addictions in
  Rancho Cucamonga, Tarzana, and West Los Angeles,
  California) were invited to complete the survey.
  
• Participants were instructed to answer the
  questions based on their heaviest period of
  substance use.
• 46-item anonymous self-report survey is an
  outgrowth of an intake questionnaire developed by
  A. Washton for cocaine dependant outpatients.

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Measure

• Survey assessed background information
  demographic information, drug use history, sexual
  history, trauma history and treatment history.
• Final section consisted of 25 items which
  addressed sexual drive, performance, pleasure,
  obsession, risk-taking, involvement in unusual
  sex acts, enmeshment of sexual behavior with drug
  use, sexual fantasies, sexual orientation,
  depression and other negative emotional states,
  treatment, and cravings.
• Responses in the final section were scored on a
  5-point Likert scale.

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Q.1 My sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
are often associated with...
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Q.2 My sexual drive is increased by the use of
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Q.4 My sexual performance is improved by the use
of
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Q.6 My sexual pleasure is enhanced by the use of

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Q.8 The use of has made me become obsessed
with sex and/or made my sex drive abnormally high.
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Q.10 I engage in sexual behavior (e.g.,
intercourse, oral sex, masturbation, etc.) more
frequently when using
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Q.14 The use of is so strongly associated with
sex that I believe it will be difficult for me to
separate my use of this substance from my sexual
behavior.
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Discussion

• Results support earlier findings demonstrating
  the strong connection between substance use and
  sexual experiences.
• MA users reported experiencing many highly
  positive aspects of sexuality.
• Implications for treatment, recovery, and relapse
• Next steps
• Demonstrate the validity and reliability of the
  survey.

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Acknowledgements

• Alison Brown, Ph.D., UCLA (Principal
  Investigator)
• Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D., UCLA
• Rachel Gonzales, Ph.D., UCLA
• Valerie Pearce, MPH, UCLA
• Sarah Cousins, UCLA

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Contact Information

• Julie E. Brummer
• jbrummer44_at_yahoo.com
• or
• Alison Hamilton, Ph.D.
• alisonh_at_ucla.edu
• www.uclaisap.org
• www.methamphetamine.org