HEROIN ADDICTED PATIENT'S SEXUALITY: APPLIED SEXOLOGY APPROACH

Abstract

Applied Sexology was defined as the joined in order system of categories to conduct models for practice. Under this corner, a minipopulation of heroin-addicted patients was studied to create psychotherapeutic program sexological consulting included.
The following assumptions were made. As drugs "give pleasure" to a patient, sexuality is changed with intensity of narcotisation. At first, drugs simplify male-female interactions and facilitate a behavior oriented to orgasm' attainment. At second, drug's usage includes into sexual behavior that platonic, erotic and reproductive feelings and proper behavior do not develop. Partners realize sexuality in the frameworks of promiscuity, prostitution, or "free-love" couple. At third, addictive behavior pushes out sexual activity. Therefore, patients▓ sex-life profiles and dynamics of narcotisation should be analyzed comparatively.
Young men (n=47, age range 17-27) and women (n=34, age range 18-24) were examined. Patients used heroin by intravenous injections from one to three years. The assumptions mentioned were confirmed: narcotisation destroys sexuality. Libido level and sexual activity decreased. Non sexual motives induced intercourses. Most of women suffered from amenorrhea. "Free love" couples did not move to marriage. Kids were not in female thoughts, etc. Great disagreements between these negative facts and patients' self-attitudes were finding: people lovely talk about drags, and indifferently - about partner, family, sex.
Special program was elaborated and successfully applied by psychotherapeutic couple (psychiatrist & psychologist) to 45 patients had high level of rehabilitation index (by T.Dudko). The program is based on patient's motivation to participate at the rehabilitation process and it consists of step-by-step patient's adaptation to his partner, family, psychotherapeutic group, and healthy surroundings.
It was found that sexuality reconstruction moves forward a person rather effectively in comparison with any motivation system. As result, the quality of remission increases.

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National Research Center on Addictions
Rehabilitation Dept.,
Moscow, Russia