To determine if patients who are dependent of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opiates, or GHB see a link between the use of their primary substance of abuse and their sexual behavior. The study focusses on the association between substance use and…
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Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
verslaving
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary study outcome is the subjective participated difference in sexual
functioning under inflcuence of a substance. Sexual functioning is
operationalized as all forms of sexual experiences including sexual feelings,
sexual fantasies, sexual arousal, sexual pleasure, sexual acts and sexual
performances.
To answer question number 6 (see study protocol) the primary outcome measure is
the nature and content of sexual behavior over the last 6 months. Sexual
behavior is operationalized as sexual experience (experience with having sex),
number of sexual partners, sexual frequency, sexual experience with same sex,
masturbation, use of porn, sex on and via Internet, review current sexual
functioning, sexual motivation and sexual satisfaction.
Secondary outcome
A secundary outcome of the study is a positive or negative change in sexual
behavior. This will be measured by asking questions about a positive or
negative change in sexual behavior under the influence of the primary substance
of abuse.
Other secundary outcomes are the difference in sexual behavior between the
different substances, dependent on the severity of the addiction and the
difference in sexual behavior between men and women, between the addictive
population and a general population (by comparing the results of this study
with the results of the study by de Graag (2012), and between different
categories of age.
Background summary
Alcohol and drugs are often associated with sex. The association is often
showed within movies and music videos. Various substances are known for
influencing sexual behavior and functioning. It is known that a low doses of
alcohol and cannabis reduce sexual inhibitions, while a higher doses of these
substances has a negative effect on sexual functioning. Incidental use of
cocaine prolongs sexual arousal because it takes longer for an orgasm to occur.
The use of amphetamines has a same effect on sexual functioning as cocaine.
Many of the studies on sexual behavior and substance use have been done within
a general population. Less is known about the sexual behavior and the link with
substance use within a population of addicts. Scientific studies on sexual
behavior and addiction is focussed on risky sexual behavior. This is striking
because in clinical practice, the link between substance use and sexual
behavior occurs regularly. There are patients who indicate that they experience
a strong relationship between their substance use and sexual behavior. Without
attention on this subject it is difficult for these patients to gain control
over their addiction. Alternatively, in those settings where sexual behavior
and drug use is being addressed, it's unclear what advice for treatment has to
be given to the patients. Without a clear scientific understanding on the
relationship between substance use and sexual behavior within an alcohol- and
drug-dependent sample it's difficult to determine treatment policy.
Study objective
To determine if patients who are dependent of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine,
opiates, or GHB see a link between the use of their primary substance of abuse
and their sexual behavior. The study focusses on the association between
substance use and sexual behavior, but also on the sexual behavior of the
participants independent of substance use
Study design
A cross-sectional, observational study, using a questionnaire about sexual
behavior and substance use. The questionnaire was developed based on the
questionnaire used in the study by Rawson et al. (2002), supplemented with
questions from the study bij de Graaf (2012) (see 'Methods' in the Research
proposal).
The study will be done in two phases. First the reliability of the
questionnaire will be determined (test retest reliability). In the second phase
(when there's been found that the reliability of the instrument is good) the
main study will be done to answer the research questions.
Study burden and risks
Participants need to fill in two questionnaires, with a total of 53 questions.
They can always end their participation.
Canadalaan 1
Groningen 9728 EA
NL
Canadalaan 1
Groningen 9728 EA
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
- substance dependence or substance abuse (alcohol, cannabis, opiates (heroin/methadone), cocaine, amphetamine, GHB)
- age: 23 years and above
- abstinent at the time of completing the questionnaire
Exclusion criteria
more than six months of abstinence of primary substance of abuse
use of a substance within another category than the primary substance of abuse (for example using an "upper" when a "downer" is the primary substance of abuse and vice versa)
psychotic episode in the last month
suicidal in the last month
limited knowledge of the Dutch language
behavioural addiction (gambling, gaming, sex)
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL53107.042.15 |