Sexuality and Substance Abuse

Course overview

Sex is keyed into our limbic systems, which controls our survival, our emotions, our reward system, and our memories. Our limbic system is vulnerable to the effects of substance use/abuse, since mind-altering substances such as cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens first affect the reward system and then stores the pleasurable effects in memory, which leads to cravings and addiction. The intersection of sexuality and substance use occurs when we use drugs while having sex, which exponentially intensifies the pleasure of both; when we use drugs to a point where our ability to engage in sexual behavior is impaired; or when we use drugs to escape memories of traumatic sexual experiences. This workshop will explore and explain the many points of this intersection and describe interventions for developing healthy sexual feelings and behavior in recovery from addiction.