Investigation of the frequency and severity of sexual dysfunction in patients with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction

As a result of the physical and psychological negative effects of addiction, sexual dysfunctions (SD) may occur. Although there are studies showing the relationship between alcohol and substance addiction and SD, there are insufficient studies comparing these three groups and exploring gambling disorder (GD). Study aimed to compare the frequency and severity of sexual dysfunctions in addiction groups. For this purpose, 174 individuals with 54 GD, 60 alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 60 substance use disorder (SUD) who were admitted to ESOGU Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Yunus Emre State Hospital AMATEM Service were included in the addiction group and 60 individuals matched with the addiction group in terms of age, gender and education level were included in the control group. All groups were given the Sexual Myths Scale (SMS), the Sexual Thrill Seeking Scale (SSSS) and the Golombok Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale (GRISS). In addition, the South Oaks Gambling Screening Test was given to the GD group, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire and the Addiction Profile Index (BAPI) to the AUD group, and the BAPI to the SUD group. Psychometrically, sexual dysfunction was found in 57.4% of the SUD group, 76.6% of the AUD group, 78.3% of the SUD group and 70% of the control group. In the addiction group, compared to the control group, the total score of the SMS and all SMS subscale scores except 2 subscales were higher than the control group; no difference was found between the groups in SSSS and GRISS scores. In the addiction subgroups, no difference was found in SSSS scores; in GRISS, premature ejeculation subscale scores were higher in the AUD and SUD groups than in the GD group. SMS scores were higher in total score and 6 subscales in the SUD group, in total score and 2 subscales in the AUD group, and in one subscale in the GD group than in the control group. Future studies focusing on addiction subgroups may better explain of the relationship between addiction and sexual functioning. Key Words: Addiction, substance use disorder, pathological gambling, sexual dysfunction