Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding Author: Stefanie Carnes, Ph. However, many clinicians lack clear criteria for detecting potential cases.
The present studies were conducted to assess the effectiveness of a brief sexual addiction screening instrument i. These studies provide support for the use of the PATHOS as a screening instrument to detect potential sexual addiction cases in clinical settings. Despite the significant personal and social consequences related to sexual addiction, relatively little attention has been paid to this serious disorder. The lack of attention is likely due, in large part, to confusion regarding its etiology and nosology.
Fortunately, a growing body of knowledge is emerging to document and describe the problem. For example, the journal, Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, is in its twentieth year of publication. This work was followed by more in depth descriptions by Carnes [ , , a], Goodman [] , and Earle []. Various researchers have applied diagnostic criteria which parallel those developed for substance abuse and pathological gambling to individuals displaying symptoms of sexual addiction [ Carnes, , , a, and Schneider, ], and others have applied independent diagnostic criteria to this population [ Black, ].
In addition, much attention has been focused on the co-occurrence of sexual addiction and other addictive behaviors [ Carnes, Murray and Charpentier, ]. Concrete efforts to summarize current research have appeared in more general medical journals [ Coleman, , Coleman-Kennedy ]. Similarly, treatment approaches have been described and various populations studied [ Carnes and Adams, ].
Still, there is a relative lack of awareness regarding sexual addiction among health care providers. Together, these factors have interfered with patient access to effective treatments. Therefore, there existed a need to generate a simple screening application similar to the CAGE Questionnaire [ Ewing, ], which is a short screener for the detection of alcoholism i.
