Gentlemen’s Sexual Addiction Screening Test
By Patrick Carnes, Ph.D. and Robert Weiss, LCSW
Answer each question yes or no. Depending on the particular pattern of symptoms:
1- 3 “yes” responses may indicate an area of concern and should be openly discussed with a friend or family member.
4 - 6 positive answers would indicate a possible problem with sexual addiction, leading to consideration of a 12-Step support program such as Sex Addicts Anonymous, Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Sexual Recovery Anonymous, or Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (click 12-STEP INFO button).
6 or more “yes” responses clearly describe a problem with potentially self abusive and/or dangerous consequences. Should seriously consider treatment with a counselor trained in the area of sexual addiction.
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Were you sexually abused as a child or adolescent?
Have you subscribed or regularly purchased/rented sexually explicit magazines or videos?
Did your parents have trouble with their sexual or romantic behaviors?
Do you often find yourself preoccupied with sexual thoughts?
Has your use of phone sex lines, computer sex lines etc. exceeded your ability to pay for these services?
Does your significant other(s), friends, or family ever worry or complain about your sexual behavior? (not related to sexual orientation)
Do you have trouble stopping your sexual behavior when you know it is inappropriate and/or dangerous to your health?
Has your involvement with pornography, phone sex, computer board sex, etc. become greater than your intimate contacts with romantic partners?
Do you keep the extent or nature of your sexual activities hidden from your friends and/or partners? (not related to sexual orientation)
Do you look forward to events with friends or family being over so that you can go out to have sex?
Do you visit sexual bathhouses, sex clubs and/or video bookstores as a regular part of your sexual activity?
Do you believe that anonymous or casual sex has kept you from having more long-term intimate relationships or from reaching other personal goals?
Do you have trouble maintaining intimate relationships once the “sexual newness” of the person has worn off?
Do your sexual encounters place you in danger of arrest for lewd conduct or public indecency?
Have you spent time worrying about being HIV positive, and continue to engage in risky or unsafe sexual behavior anyway?
Has anyone ever been hurt emotionally by events related to your sexual behavior, e.g. lying to partner or friends, not showing up for event/appointment due to sexual liaisons, etc., (not related to sexual orientation)?
Have you ever been approached, charged, arrested by the police, security, etc. due to sexual activity in a public place?
Has sex been a way for you to escape your problems?
When you have sex, do you feel depressed afterwards?
Have you made repeated promises to yourself to change some form of your sexual activity only to break them later? (not related to sexual orientation)
Have your sexual activities interfered with some aspect of your professional or personal life, e.g. unable to perform at work, loss of relationship? (not related to sexual orientation)
Have you engaged in unsafe or “risky” sexual practices even though you knew it could cause you harm?
Have you ever paid for sex?
Have you ever had sex with someone just because you were feeling aroused and later felt ashamed or regretted it?
Have you ever cruised public restrooms, rest areas and/or parks looking for sexual encounters with strangers?