There are many positive benefits that arise for those in alcohol rehab. Sexual dysfunction may have been a problem for chronic alcohol and drug users and studies have shown that a decrease in drug use may lead to an increase in sexual performance. Alcohol rehab may be necessary for heavy drinkers to abstain from alcohol consumption to have a chance at better sexual performance in the future. Some individuals seeking alcohol treatment may look for an alternative to the 12 step program, and those individuals may benefit from a self-empowering approach to recovery. In a self-empowering approach, individualized treatment plans are created where the clients inform clinicians what areas of treatment they would like to emphasize on.

Many individuals report using drugs and alcohol recreationally to improve their sex life. However, drug and alcohol use may lead to inhibited or dysfunctional sexual behavior. Despite popular notions that drug and alcohol use improves sex, a recent study suggests that drug and alcohol rehab may improve sex for many individuals. Researchers at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, examined the effects of stimulants (such as caffeine, amphetamine and cocaine) and depressants (such as morphine and alcohol) on the sexual behavior of rats (Pfaus et. al., 2010).

Lead researcher James Pfaus of Concordia University reported, \”We reviewed data from more than 100 different studies, including original data from our own studies, to systematically examine the effects of drugs on sexual performance. In addition, we evaluated the aphrodisiac claims of some of these pharmaceuticals. In this broad-based and wide-reaching study, it appears that drugs and sex don\’t mix well and there is no global love-potion.\”

The researchers found that the effects of different drugs on sexual behavior in rats depends on the animal\’s baseline sexual response, hormonal status, whether the drug is taken acutely or chronically, and whether the animal has learned to inhibit sexual response toward non-receptive partners or in the presence of conditioned olfactory cues that predict sexual non-reward.

By and large, administration of most drugs did not enhance sexual behavior and in fact decreased sexual performance. However, the researchers found a few conditions that enhanced sexual behavior: acute administration of cocaine facilitated penile erection in male rats; acute caffeine consumption facilitated sexual behavior in male and female rats; and low levels of alcohol removed tendencies of sexual inhibition. High levels of alcohol disrupted sexual performance. The researchers found that this disruption faded with time.

\”Sex and drugs may enhance one another under some circumstances, but it is clear from the data that drug use debilitates sexual responding in the majority of situations,\” Dr. Pfaus concluded.

Chronic drug use may cause long-lasting sexual dysfunction. The dysfunction may be physical or psychological. For example, stimulant-induced damage to the cardiovascular system may interfere with the ability to maintain erection. On the psychological level, drug-induced depression may also interfere with sexual behavior. Thus, especially in terms of chronic substance use and addiction, alcohol and drug rehab would be expected to improve sex life in most situations.

Pfaus JG, Wilkins MF, DiPietro N, Benibgui M, Toledano R, Rowe A, Couch MC. Inhibitory and disinhibitory effects of psychomotor stimulants and depressants on the sexual behavior of female rats. Hormones and Behavior. 2010; 58(1): 163-176.

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