Women, Sexuality and the Process of Recovery

This paper discusses the importance of addressing sexuality issues in the treatment of chemically dependent women. It summarizes the research which as correlated chemical dependnecy in women to such areas as: sexual disatisfaction/dysfunction, sex role conflicts, intimacy and interpersonal relationships, sexual orientation issues and sexual abuse/incest. Four primary factors impacting the relationship between women's sexuality and recovery will be explored including: social influences, physical correlates, psychological components and spiritual aspects. This paper draws on existing research, the authors' clinical experience, and information provided to authors by the self-reports if 100 chemically dependent women who were extensively surveyed. This paper should be viewed as both an invitation to others for further research into these relationships, as well as a challenge to alcoholism and mental health professionals to incorporate more aspects of sexuality work into the individual treatment plans and overall treatment programs for their recovering women clients.