PROTOTYPES Division of Training, Technical Assistance and Consultation
Presents:
SEX ADDICTION
ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT
An Advanced Training For Health Care & Other Service Providers
Facilitated & Developed by:
Neva Chauppette, Psy.D.
Neva Chauppette, Psy.D.
P.O. Box 6234
Woodland Hills, CA 91365-6234
CA Psychologist License # PSY14524
(818) 680-0234 (voicemail/pager)
(818) 439-7080 (cell)
(818) 703-1854 (fax)
NCHAUPPETT@aol.com
PROTOTYPES
5601 W. slauson Ave., Suite 200
Culver City, CA 90230
Telephone: 310.641.7795
Fax: 310.649.4347
Email: www.prototypes.org
The Addictive Cycle
a) preoccupation – the trance or mood wherein the
addicts’ mind is completely engrossed with thoughts of
sex. This mental state creates obsessive search for
sexual stimulation.
b) ritualization – the addicts’ own special routines that lead
up to the sexual behavior. The ritual intensifies the
preoccupation, adding arousal and excitement.
The Addictive Cycle
c) compulsivity – the actual sexual act, which is the end
goal of the preoccupation and ritualization. Sex addicts
are unable to control or stop this behavior.
d) despair – the feeling of utter hopelessness addicts have
about their behavior and their powerlessness.
Application of the Core Elements of
Addiction to Sex Addiction
Obsession
 Planning daily events around
obtaining the "fix" (e.g., sex - where
to go, how to dress, items needed to
engage in the behavior, etc.)
preoccupation with.
Application of the Core Elements of
Addiction to Sex Addiction
Compulsion

Feeling that the behavior "fix" must
occur to satisfy the drive; if not satisfied the obsession will only escalate and
there will be further consuming.
Application of the Core Elements of
Addiction to Sex Addiction
Denial

"Everyone needs to relax"

"With the stress I'm under, I deserve it"

" A lot of people get VD"
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
1. Out of control behavior
 escalating frequency
 escalating dangerousness
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
2. Consequences - escalating and
compounding consequences
a) impaired or decreased job performance
due to preoccupation, absenteeism
b) STD, unwanted pregnancies
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
c) possible arrests - lewd/lascivious
conduct
d) marital/monogamous relationships
are jeopardized/lost
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
3. Inability to stop - self perpetuation of
behavior once guilt and shame are
fused
4. Self-destructive or high risk - as
frequency of "using" goes up, so too
does the need for drama; danger to
add to the "rush"
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
5. Effort/desire to limit the sexual
behavior - limit sexual behavior to
only certain types, with certain
partners, etc.
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
6. Sexual obsession/fantasy when things are uncomfortable
or problematic, this is the mental
place sex addicts go to
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
7. Increased amounts - it is equivalent to
physiological need (tolerance) and the
desire to achieve the same effect can
only be reached with increasing
frequency, intensity, etc. of acts
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
8. Mood swings - sex is used as a fix
to alter "bad" mood states but
ultimately is bad itself due to the
guilt/shame
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
9. Increased time - preoccupation
with obtaining, using and
recovering from sexual fix
Ten Signs of Sexual Addiction
10. Neglect - as disease
progresses, so does the
pervasiveness of the neglect
Differences Between Healthy Sex and
Addictive Sex
 Healthy
sex: is about respect for the
partner, honesty with the partner
•
•
this type of sex does not require a
“double life”
fosters respect and affection for self and
the partner
Differences Between Healthy Sex and
Addictive Sex
 Addictive
/ Unhealthy sex - is illicit,
stolen and explosive, dishonest and requires
a “double life”
•
disconnects one from self and others,
brings shame/guilt and wreckage
Unhealthy Sex Is Comprised Of And
Supported By:

obsession - disconnects one from oneself

compulsion - becomes routine, is grim and joyless

denial - creates a world of unreality

guilt - compromises values

shame - feels shameful
Identifying Clients With Sexual
Addiction
 Do
you or others who know you find that
you are overly preoccupied or obsessed
with sexual activity?
 Do
you ever find yourself compelled to
engage in sexual activity in response to
stress, anxiety, or depression?
Identifying Clients With Sexual
Addiction
 Have
you had serious problems develop as
a result of your sexual behavior (e.g., loss
of a job or relationship, sexually
transmitted diseases, injuries or illnesses,
sexual offenses)?
 Do
you feel guilty and shameful about
some of your sexual behaviors?
Identifying Clients With Sexual
Addiction

Do you fantasize or engage in any
unusual or what some would consider
"deviant" sexual behavior?

Do you find yourself constantly searching
or "scanning" the environment for a
potential sexual partner?
Identifying Clients With Sexual
Addiction
 Do
you ever find yourself sexually obsessed
with someone who is not interested in you or
doesn't even know you?
 Do
you think your pattern of masturbation is
excessive, driven, or dangerous?
Identifying Clients With Sexual
Addiction
 Have
you had numerous love relationships
that are short-lived, intense, and unfulfilling?
 Do
you feel a constant need for sex or
expressions of love in your sexual
relationship?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
(SAST)

Designed to assist in the assessment of
sexually compulsive or "addictive" behavior

Provides a profile of responses that help to
discriminate between addictive and nonaddictive behaviors.
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
To complete the test, answer each question “Yes” or “No”:
1. Were you sexually abused as a child or adolescent?
2. Have you subscribed to or regularly purchased sexually explicit
magazines such as Playboy or Penthouse?
3. Did your parents have trouble with sexual behavior?
4. Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts?
5. Do you feel that your sexual behavior is not normal?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
6. Does your spouse (or significant other) ever worry or complain
about your sexual behavior?
7. Do you have trouble stopping your sexual behavior when you
know it is not appropriate?
8. Do you ever feel badly about your sexual behavior?
9. Has your sexual behavior ever created problems for you or your
family?
10. Have you ever sought help for sexual behavior you did not
like?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
11. Have you ever worried about people finding out about your sexual
activities?
12. Has anyone been hurt emotionally because of your sexual
behavior?
13. Are any of your sexual activities against the law?
14. Have you made promises to yourself to quit some aspect of your
sexual behavior?
15. Have you made efforts to quit a type of sexual activity and failed?
16. Do you have to hide some of your sexual behavior from others?
17. Have you attempted to stop some parts of your sexual activity?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
18. Have you ever felt degraded by your sexual behavior?
19. Has sex been a way for you to escape your problems?
20. When you have sex, do you feel depressed afterwards?
21. Have you felt the need to discontinue a certain form of sexual
activity?
22. Has your sexual activity interfered with your family life?
23. Have you been sexual with minors?
24. Do you feel controlled by your sexual desire?
25. Do you ever think your sexual desire is stronger than you are?
The Sexual Addiction Screening Test
SCORING
Relative Distributions of Addict and Non-Addict SAST Scores
SAST Score Range ("yes" answers)
Percent in This Score Range Who Are
Non-Addict
Addict
0–4
89.3%
10.7%
5-8
89.6%
10.4%
9 - 12
77.2%
22.8%
13+
3.5%
96.5%
Criteria of Problematic Online
Sexual Behavior
1) Preoccupation with sex on the Internet
(obsession)
2) Engaging in sex on Internet more often or
for longer periods of time than intended
(compulsion)
Criteria of Problematic Online
Sexual Behavior
3) Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut
back on, or stop engaging in sex on the
Internet (compulsion)
4) Restlessness or irritability when attempting
to limit or stop engaging in sex on the
Internet
Criteria of Problematic Online
Sexual Behavior
5) Using sex on the Internet as a way of escaping
from problems or relieving feelings such as
helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression
(denial)
6) Returning to sex on the Internet day after day in
search of a more intense or higher-risk sexual
experience (compulsion)
Criteria of Problematic Online
Sexual Behavior
7)
Lying to family members, therapists, or
others to conceal involvement with sex on
the Internet (denial, shame, guilt)
8)
Committing illegal sexual acts online (for
example, sending or downloading child
pornography or soliciting illegal sex acts
online) (compulsion, guilt)
Criteria of Problematic Online
Sexual Behavior
9)
Jeopardizing or losing a significant
relationship, job, or educational or
career opportunity because of online
sexual behavior
10) Incurring
significant financial
consequences as a result of
engaging in online sexual behavior
Internet Sex Screening Test
Internet Sex Screening Test
Read each statement carefully and answer honestly. If the statement is true or mostly
true for you, mark the blank with a T. If it is false, mark the blank with an F.
___ 1.
I have some sexual sites bookmarked.
___ 2.
I spend more than 5 hours per week using my computer for sexual pursuits.
___ 3.
I have joined sexual sites to gain access to online sexual material.
___ 4.
I have purchased sexual products online.
___ 5.
I have searched for sexual material through an internet search tool.
___ 6.
I have spent more money for online sexual material than I planned.
___ 7.
Internet sex has sometimes interfered with certain aspects of my life.
___ 8.
I have participated in sexually related chats.
___ 9.
I have a sexualized user name or nickname that I use on the Internet.
___10.
I have masturbated while on the Internet.
Internet Sex Screening Test
___ 11.
I have accessed sexual sites from other computers besides my own.
___ 12.
No one knows I use my computer for sexual purposes.
___ 13.
I have tried to hide what is on my computer or monitor so others cannot see it.
___ 14.
I have stayed up after midnight to access sexual material online.
___ 15.
I use the Internet to experiment with different aspects of sexuality such as
bondage, and anal sex.
___ 16.
I have my own website that contains sexually explicit material.
___ 17.
I have made promises to myself to stop using the Internet for sexual
purposes.
___ 18.
I sometimes use cybersex as a reward for accomplishing something like
finishing a project or enduring a stressful day.
___ 19.
When I am unable to access sexual information online, I feel anxious, angry,
or disappointed.
Internet Sex Screening Test
___ 20.
I have increased the risks I take online (i.e., giving out my real name and
phone number, or meeting people offline).
___ 21.
I have punished myself for using the Internet for sexual purposes (for
example, I’ve arranged time-out from the computer or canceled Internet
subscriptions).
___ 22.
I have met face-to-face with someone I met online for romantic purposes.
___ 23.
I use sexual humor and innuendo with others while online.
___ 24.
I have run across illegal sexual material while on the Internet.
___ 25.
I believe I am an Internet sex addict.
Total number of statements marked “True” ___________
Total number of statements marked “False ___________
The Lure of the Internet

Accessibility – home/office computers

Affordability – usually unlimited access
available for less than $20/month

Anonymity – user can be her/himself or
pretend to be anyone
The Lure of the Internet

Secrecy – computer use leaves less
obvious traces versus physical
evidence from for example, a porn
magazine or video – can turn off the
computer if an unwanted visitor
enters the room
The Lure of the Internet

Safety - no risk of STDs, illegal
financial exchange (prostitute or in a
massage parlor), or getting arrested
(for public or anonymous sex)
The Lure of the Internet

Normalization - can find others online
who engage in a variety of different
sexual behaviors -- many have
created “virtual communities” for
sexual activities and support of sexual
lifestyles
National Sex Addiction
Recovery Fellowships

Sex Addicts Anonymous - SAA

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous – SLAA

Sexaholics Anonymous – SA

Sexual Compulsive Anonymous - SCA
Name
Headquarters/
Locations
Sex Addicts Anonymous
Year Founded
1977
Telephone
713-869-4902 or (213) 896-2964 local
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 70949
Houston, TX 77270 or P.O. Box 57648, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Statement of Fellowship's
Common Goal or Primary
Purpose
"…is to become sexually health." ("Sex Addicts Anonymous" flyer, p. 4)
Membership Definition ("The
only requirement for
membership is…")
"…a desire to stop compulsive sexual behavior."
Addiction Definition (according to
"…our compulsive sexual behavior."
Houston, TX
Step No.1, "We admitted we were
powerless over…")
Sobriety Definition
No out-of-bounds sex: "We cannot abstain from our sexuality, because
it is part of our humanity. Instead, we abstain from the compulsive
destructive behaviors that rendered our lives unmanageable.
Boundaries reflect both what behaviors we'll abstain from and those
we'll embrace in a search toward serenity and sexual health."
("Abstinence and Boundaries," in "Sex Addicts Anonymous flyer, p. 1)
Official Basic Text
None. The fellowship has Hope and Recovery under consideration as
its text, authored independently by an anonymous group of SAA
members.
Name
Headquarters/
Locations
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Year Founded
1976
Telephone
617-332-1845
(323) 957-4881 local
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 338
Norwood, Mass 02062
Statement of
Fellowship's Common
Goal or Primary Purpose
"…is real autonomy and self-respect…the capacity for partnerships based on
authentic love and intimacy, whether they be with children, spouse or friends"
("An Introduction to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous,"p. 11)
Membership Definition
("The only requirement
for membership is…")
"…the desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction."
Addiction Definition
"…sex and love addiction."
Augustine Fellowship, West Newton, MA
(according to Step No.1, "We
admitted we were powerless
over…")
Sobriety Definition
No bottom line sex: "Define your bottom-line behavior…any sexual or
emotional act which, once engaged in, leads to loss of control over rate,
frequency or duration of its recurrence, resulting in worsening self-destructive
consequences. Don't wait for the perfect definition. Start now and add to it
later if necessary." ("Suggestions for Newcomers," p.4)
Official basic text
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, Boston, Augustine Fellowship, 1986.
Name
Headquarters/
Locations
Sexaholics Anonymous
Year Founded
1978
Telephone
805-581-3343 or (213) 480-1096
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 300 - Simi Valley, CA 93062 or
P.O. Box 111910, Nashville, TN 37222
Statement of Fellowship's
Common Goal or Primary
Purpose
"…is to stay sexually sober and help others to achieve sexual sobriety."
("Sexaholics Anonymous" book, p. 201).
Membership Definition ("The
"…a desire to stop lusting and become sexually sober."
Simi Valley, CA
only requirement for membership
is…")
Addiction Definition
"…lust."
(according to Step No.1, "We
admitted we were powerless
over…")
Sobriety Definition
Married sex or no sex: "Any form of sex with one's self or with partners
other than the spouse is progressively addictive and destructive. Thus,
for the married sexaholic, sexual sobriety means having no form of sex
with self or with persons other than the spouse. For the
unmarried…freed from sex of any kind. For all…progressive victory over
lust." ("Sexaholics Anonymous" textbook, pp.4, 191-2)
Official basic text
Sexaholics Anonymous, Simi Valley, CA; 1989.
Name
Headquarters/Locations
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
Year Founded
1982
Telephone
(310) 859-5585
Mailing Address
4391 Sunset Blvd., Suite 520, Los Angeles, CA
Statement of Fellowship’s
Common Goal or Primary
Purpose
"…is to stay sexually sober and to help others to achieve sexual
sobriety." ("SCA" flyer, p. 1)
Membership definition (“The
"…a desire to stop having compulsive sex."
Los Angeles, CA
only requirement for membership
is...”)
Addiction definition (according
"…sexual compulsion."
to Step 1, “We admitted we were
powerless over...”)
Sobriety Definition
Sex by plan only: "Members…develop their sexual recovery plan
and…define sexual sobriety for themselves. We are not here to repress
our God-given sexuality, but to learn how to express it in ways that will
not endanger our mental, physical and spiritual health. A plan
consistent with our values…a written guideline to help us." ("SCA
booklet, pp.5, 9)
Official basic text
SCA - A Program of Recovery, New York, SCA, 1989.
Where to Find Help
The following national organizations can refer callers to self-help groups in their area:
Del Amo Hospital
Sexual Dependency Unit
23700 Camino Del Sol
Torrance, CA 90505
(800) 533-5266
www.delamohospital.com
National Council on
Sexual Addiction &
Compulsivity
770-989-9754
www.ncsac.org
Recovering Couples
Anonymous
c/o General Services
P.O. Box 11872
St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 830-2600
(toll-free: 877-742-7349 ext.1234)
Culver City: 310-322-7857
www.recovering-couples.org
Sex Addicts Anonymous
P.O. Box 70749
Houston, TX 77270
(713) 869-4902 or
(213) 896-2964 loc
www.sexaa.org
Sexaholics Anonymous
P.O. Box 300
Simi Valley, CA 93062
(805) 581-3343 or
(213) 480-1096
Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous
P.O. Box 338, New Town Branch
Norwood, MA 02062
(323) 957-4881
www.slaafws.org
www.sexhelp.com
(Dr. Patrick Carnes)
Recovery Online
www.onlinerecovery.org/index.html
S-Anon International
170 Sunset Blvd. # 520
P.O. Box 5117
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
(818) 990-6910
www.sanon.org
Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
4391 Sunset Blvd. Suite
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(310) 859-5585
www.sca-recovery.org
Local Resources
Sexual Recovery Institute
914 S. Robertson Blvd., Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90035
www.sexualrecovery.com
Services:
 Sexual compulsivity screening & assessment
 Sexual behavior focused: Individual & Group
 Ongoing lecture series, referral resources
 Spouse / Significant Other treatment
 Sexual compulsivity treatment as an adjunct
to preexisting, ongoing therapy
Telephone: 310-360-0130
Facsimile: 310-360-0133
Orange County: 714-281-8400
Del Amo Hospital
The National Center for Trauma and Sexual Recovery
23700 Camino del Sol
Torrance, CA 90505
www.delamohospital.com
Telephone: 800-533-5266