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Treatment of Sexual Addiction Within the British National Health Service

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Abstract

At present, the prevalence of rates of sexual addiction in the UK is unknown. This study investigated what treatment services were available within British Mental Health Trusts (MHTs) that are currently provided for those who experience compulsive and/or addictive sexual behaviours within the National Health Service (NHS) system. In March and April 2013, a total of 58 letters were sent by email to all Mental Health Trusts in the UK requesting information about (i) sexual addiction services and (ii) past 5-year treatment of sexual addiction. The request for information was sent to all MHTs under the Freedom of Information Act (2001). Results showed that 53 of the 58 MHTs (91 %) did not provide any service (specialist or otherwise) for treating those with problematic sexual behaviours. Based on the responses provided, only five MHTs reported having had treated sexual addiction as a disorder that took primacy over the past 5 years. There was also some evidence to suggest that the NHS may potentially treat sexual addiction as a secondary disorder that is intrinsic and/or co-morbid to the initial referral made by the GP. In light of these findings, implications for the treatment of sex addiction in a British context are discussed.

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Notes

  1. An NHS Foundation Trust is part of the National Health Service in England and has gained a degree of independence from the Department of Health and local NHS strategic health authority.

  2. NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/addiction/Pages/sexandloveaddiction.aspx

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK

    Mark D. Griffiths

  2. School of Social Sciences, Psychology, Brunel University, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, London, UB8 3PH, UK

    Manpreet K. Dhuffar

Authors
  1. Mark D. Griffiths
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  2. Manpreet K. Dhuffar
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mark D. Griffiths or Manpreet K. Dhuffar.

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Griffiths, M.D., Dhuffar, M.K. Treatment of Sexual Addiction Within the British National Health Service. Int J Ment Health Addiction 12, 561–571 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9485-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9485-2

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