Drug Dependence and Sexual Dysfunction: A Comparison of Intravenous Users of Narcotics and Oral Users of Amphetamines

Abstract

Diminished sexual activity among individuals dependent upon the opiate drugs (heroin, morphine, methadone, etc.) has been noted by Freedman (1967) and by Jurgensen (1966). A study of four populations of male patients (controls, abstainers, heroin addicts and patients maintained on methadone), suggested that although factors other than the specific drug effects may be important determinants of sexual difficulties, that the drug itself may act as a specific determinant (Cushman, 1972). This was supported by the fact that all patients claimed to have been normal before narcotic use, that heroin reduced sexual performance and desire, and that a reversal to normal sexual function rapidly occurred during enforced withdrawal. Other observations by Ding (1972), and Scher (1967) support these findings. Berzins et al. (1971), and Mott (1972) have noted that drug-dependent subjects tend to have problems of sexual identity, and Hobi (1972) suggests that psychosexual immaturity is frequently seen in drug-dependent subjects.