Sexual Health in Addiction Recovery

Let's talk about sex.

Quite seriously. We have to talk about sex. And yet, even many helping professionals are reluctant to do so, haven't been trained to do so, or don't know how to do so in ways that are ethical and trauma informed. As a professional working in addiction, trauma and grief, I'd be unethical if I did NOT talk to my clients about how their mental health and their sexual health and intimacy relate to one another.

Please join me for my presentation on this topic at the Virginia Summer Institute for Addiction Studies (VSIAS) in Williamsburg, VA: ?"Let's Talk About Sex! A Trauma-Informed, Ethical Approach with SUD Clients", Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 1:15 PM - 4:45 PM.

I am going to be covering a lot of ground in this presentation, because I am passionate about sexual health, and for now I'll just share some of the many reasons why we have to have brave, deep, sensitive conversations about sex:

1. Many people worry about how life is going to be for them when they are clean and sober -- including what sex will be like.
2. Sex can be a relapse risk factor, and deserves the same consideration and planning to mitigate relapse risk as other aspects of life.
3. Sexual trauma is part of the picture for many people's using histories -- and clients deserve to know that evidence based treatments exist to help them heal past traumas so they can enjoy the healthy, flourishing life they want in the present.
4. Partners who are abusive may undermine solid recovery to prevent sexual intimacy from changing.
5. Relationship conflict is a leading relapse risk factor -- and conflict over concerns around sexual intimacy plays a role in overall relationship dissatisfaction.
6. Aspects of life in active addiction might have had serious negative consequences for sexual health and intimacy. Sex therapists can help problem solve -- but we won't know to make a referral to a sex therapist if we aren't broaching the topic effectively.

Working with individuals and couples to improve their sexual intimacy is a privilege. And it's definitely an area of focus professionally in which we all need up-to-date information, referral lists, consultation, training, and strategies to ensure ethical practice.

I'd love to hear your questions and thoughts on this matter as I finalize my presentation.